An actuary is a business professional who analyzes the financial consequences of risk. In the Actuarial science minor, students will learn mathematics, statistics, and financial theory essential to study uncertain future events, especially those of concern to insurance in health, life, and properties, as well as how to mitigate them. Through the courses offered through this minor, students will be able to evaluate risk and learn methods to reduce the likelihood and decrease the impact of adverse events that do occur.
In addition to teaching valuable content, a bonus of the minor is that the required courses will help prepare interested students to take the first five exams administered by actuarial societies such as Society of Actuaries (SOA) or Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS).
To Complete the Minor:
Please submit this form only after you have completed all of the following courses or once you are in your final semester of fulfilling these requirements.
Required Courses for the Minor:
Five courses are required in total to complete the minor. This includes two foundational required courses and three electives.
1. Choose one course from the following list:
BTRY/STSCI 3080: Probability (4 credits)
MATH 4710: Basic Probability (4 credits)
ECON 3110: Probability Models and Inference for the Social Sciences (4 credits)
ECON 3130: Statistics and Probability (4 credits)
ORIE 3500: Engineering Probability and Statistics II (4 credits)
2. STSCI 3090: Theory of Interest (4 credits)
3 - 5. Advanced Electives (Three electives from this section)
See list below for all approved courses.
Overlap with Biometry and Statistics/Statistical Science Majors:
Biometry and Statistics or Statistical Science majors intending to minor in Actuarial Science are required to follow these guidelines:
Students graduating in or before August 2025 cannot overlap their three
minor electives with major requirements. Probability courses and STSCI 3090 can
be double counted.
Students graduating in or after December 2025 cannot overlap their three
minor electives and STSCI 3090 with major requirements. Probability courses can
be double counted.
Grade Requirements:
Only courses for which the student receives a grade of C- or above will count toward the Actuarial Science Minor. Courses taken with the S/U option will not count towards the minor.