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Mathematics and Statistics
Do you enjoy creative problem solving, abstract thinking and using analytic skills? All programs in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics can be completed as either a BA or BSc. Students acquire problem solving skills and logical thinking abilities that employers value highly.
Actuarial Mathematics
Actuarial Mathematics prepares students to be professionals who use mathematical models to analyze and solve financial problems under uncertainty. Actuaries are experts in the design, financing and operation of insurance plans, annuities, and pension or other employee benefit plans. An actuary requires a strong mathematical background, as well as knowledge of computers, accounting, finance and economics. Exposure to the social sciences and humanities is also important to provide a proper foundation for a broad approach to the many problems which the actuary regularly faces. The following Actuarial programs prepare students to write examinations to gain admission to the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and provide an excellent preparation for graduate studies in Actuarial Mathematics.
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Honours in Actuarial Mathematics — 66 credits
Intended for students who want an introduction to actuarial research. An honours research project is required for graduation. Normally students apply for entry into the honours program after starting in the specialization, although direct entry into the program is possible with an interview. A high academic standing is required to enter and remain in the program. -
Specialization in Actuarial Mathematics — 60 credits
Designed for students who wish to pursue an actuarial career but have a keen interest in Mathematics. Our programs prepare students for the first five Associateship exams of the Society of Actuaries and the Casualty Actuarial Society, while providing a thorough background in Mathematics, Probability and Statistics.
Sample courses include:
Mathematics of Finance, Actuarial Mathematics I & II, Risk Theory, Credibility Theory, Loss Distributions, Pension Mathematics
Actuarial Mathematics Co-op Program:
Students become familiar with computer programs that are used by actuaries to analyse socioeconomic data, make defined benefit plan calculations and create actuarial tables. They develop expertise in writing professional reports and become familiar with document preparation methodology. Employers such as insurance companies and consulting firms often classify these positions as actuarial assistants or actuarial analysts. Students work in a structured business environment that promotes teamwork and accountability, and enhances communication skills.
Admission Requirements
Minimum cut-off averages, admission statistics and program requirements.
Actuarial Mathematics/Finance
In a collaborative effort, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics of the Faculty of Arts and Science and the Finance Department of the John Molson School of Business offer a BA and a BSc Specialization in Actuarial Mathematics/Finance. The program is intended to benefit students in high standing who would have been accepted into the Specialization in Actuarial Mathematics. It provides a niche for graduates since there is currently a shortage of specialists in the combined field.
Specialization in Actuarial Mathematics/Finance — 90 credits
This program combines a solid education in Actuarial Mathematics with an extensive introduction to Finance, equivalent to a minor. It is designed for students who wish to pursue a career as an actuary, but at the same time want to specialize in the financial issues of actuarial practice. The program requirements combine all the compulsory courses of the BA/BSc program in Actuarial Mathematics (60 credits) with another 30 credits of required Accounting, Economics and Finance courses. Admission is limited to at most 15 students with excellent academic records.
Sample courses include:
Mathematics of Finance, Actuarial Mathematics I & II, Risk Theory, Credibility Theory, Loss Distributions, Pension Mathematics
Actuarial Mathematics/Finance Co-op Program:
Students become familiar with computer programs that are used by actuaries to analyze socioeconomic data, make defined benefit plan calculations and create actuarial tables. They develop expertise in writing professional reports and become familiar with document preparation methodology. Employers such as insurance companies and consulting firms often classify these positions as actuarial assistants or actuarial analysts. Students work in a structured business environment that promotes teamwork and accountability, and enhances communication skills.
Admission Requirements
Minimum cut-off averages, admission statistics and program requirements.
Mathematical and Computational Finance
Offered in cooperation with the John Molson School of Business, this specialization combines advanced mathematics with finance. Students create and implement mathematical models and computational techniques for pricing financial instruments, analyzing and managing the associated risks, and devising innovative new products.
Specialization in Mathematical and Computational Finance
— 90 credits
Students are equipped with solid mathematical knowledge, a firm grounding in finance and economic theory, and experience with practical applications of the field.
Sample courses include:
Mathematical and Computational Finance I & II, Measure Theory
Admission Requirements
Minimum cut-off averages, admission statistics and program requirements.
Mathematics and Statistics
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Major in Mathematics and Statistics — 42 credits
Aimed at students who would like to have a good background in the mathematical sciences, but whose goals are to enter the job market upon graduation rather than to pursue graduate studies. The focus is on the applied nature of the mathematical sciences as tools for solving and thinking about a wide range of problems. Courses are less theoretical and more emphasis is on selected key topics accompanied by the use of appropriate software applications. -
Joint Major in Mathematics and Statistics and Computer Applications — 78 credits
A comprehensive education in both mathematics and computer science. Computing is now part of mainstream mathematics and statistics and it is also an important and powerful tool to solve problems and represent complex situations through mathematical modelling. The joint major program meets this academic objective, while providing students with additional qualifications for future employment. The program consists of all courses in the Major in Mathematics and Statistics plus all required courses for the Computer Applications Option. -
Minor in Mathematics and Statistics — 24 credits
Suitable for students who want to have a structured introduction to the mathematical sciences without making a full commitment to a major program.
Sample courses include:
Introduction to Optimization, Mathematics with Computer Algebra, Linear Algebra and Applications I & II, Introduction to Stochastic Methods of Operations Research, Applied Statistics, Numerical Analysis, Investment Mathematics
Admission Requirements
Minimum cut-off averages, admission statistics and program requirements.
Pure and Applied Mathematics
Pure Mathematics is primarily the study of mathematics for its own sake. This is not to say that Pure Mathematics has no applications, but the initial motivation for its study is inner beauty and rigour, as opposed to application or practical use. Applied Mathematics develops out of a need to solve problems in the real world. Often, the solution of a problem in Applied Mathematics requires a deep understanding of the underlying Pure Mathematics. Thus, the distinction between the two is often a fine line.
Research in Pure Mathematics often stems from a desire to understand the inner workings of intricate mathematical designs and relationships. But it can also be sparked by the need to create a new mathematical model to fit a practical problem and a desire to understand the deeper structure of such models. Applied mathematicians are instrumental in designing and analyzing models of systems and in testing and evaluating performance. Whether in research and development or industrial production, the applied mathematician interacts with engineers, physicists, programmers and other specialists.
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Honours in Pure and Applied Mathematics — 66 credits
An excellent choice for students interested in research and graduate studies since a research thesis is required for graduation. Normally, students apply for entry into the honours program after starting in the specialization, although direct entry into the program is possible with an interview. The program requires a high academic standing to enter and remain in. -
Specialization in Pure and Applied Mathematics — 60 credits
Offering a solid grounding in mathematics, this is a good program for any student who wants to concentrate on mathematical studies. The program starts with basic courses in multi-variable calculus, linear algebra, probability and statistics. Higher-level courses include complex analysis, abstract algebra, number theory, advanced probability, statistics and analysis.
Sample courses include:
Elementary Number Theory, Calculus of Variations, Combinatorics, Differential Geometry, Abstract Algebra I/II/III/IV, Partial Differential Equations, Linear and Non-Linear Dynamical Systems
Pure and Applied Mathematics Co-op Program:
Pure and Applied Mathematics Co-op students are usually hired for their organizational and analytical skills and their problem-solving abilities. Students become familiar with optimization techniques from operations research. They are expected to have a strong foundation in mathematics and to be familiar with basic algorithms and programming using a variety of software packages. They may also be required to participate in library and Internet-based research related to the development of mathematical systems and algorithm applications. Students must be able to maintain web-related documentation of updates and testing.
Admission Requirements
Minimum cut-off averages, admission statistics and program requirements.
Statistics
Statistics has been described as the science concerned with making sense out of numbers. Since numerical information plays an important role in our daily lives, all of us can profit from some knowledge of statistics. But complex problems call for the service of professional statisticians, most of whom have graduate training in statistics and probability. Statisticians give advice on the statistical results of experiments, conduct surveys, analyze data with the help of existing statistical techniques or devise new methods of analysis. They make ever-increasing use of computers, often writing their own programs or modifying existing ones. Statisticians rarely work by themselves. They collaborate with specialists in areas such as agriculture, the biological and health sciences, economics, social psychology, as well as business and industry.
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Honours in Statistics — 66 credits
An excellent choice for students interested in research and graduate studies since a research thesis is required for graduation. Normally, students apply for entry into the honours program after starting in the specialization, although direct entry into the program is possible with an interview. The program requires a high academic standing to enter and remain in. -
Specialization in Statistics — 60 credits
Provides a solid grounding in Statistics and prepares students for graduate studies. The program offers basic courses in multi-variable calculus, linear algebra, probability and statistics and a variety of courses in advanced topics in probability and statistics.
Sample courses include:
Probability I & II, Sample Survey Theory and Applications, Statistical Data Analysis, Linear Models, Introduction to Stochastic Processes, Time Series and Forecasting, Multivariate Statistics
Statistics Co-op Program:
Students become familiar with various computer programs used by statisticians to analyze data for consistency and general outlier detection. Students are expected to have basic knowledge of statistical and mathematical methods, generally obtained in introductory-level university courses. Employers for co-op students in Statistics include banks and Statistics Canada.
Admission Requirements
Minimum cut-off averages, admission statistics and program requirements.
Science, mathematical modelling, data analysis, design, software development, transport and communications, investment, finance and insurance, banking, pension management, energy firms.
See the BA degree or BSc degree description for information on the core and elective requirements. For a complete list of courses: Undergraduate Calendar
Undergraduate admissions guidelines: For information on international admission, required documents, proof of language proficiency, the university admissions timetable, selection and notification process.
