Mathematics, BS, Actuarial Science Concentration Frequently Asked Questions
Actuarial science uses mathematics, statistics, probability, finance, and data analysis to evaluate risk and uncertainty. Actuaries often work in insurance, finance, retirement planning, health care, risk management, and related fields.
The Actuarial Science Concentration is a pathway within the B.S. in Mathematics that combines a strong foundation in mathematics with focused preparation in probability, statistics, finance, and risk analysis.
Students who enjoy mathematics, problem solving, data analysis, finance, logical reasoning, and real-world applications of probability and statistics may be strong candidates for actuarial science.
Graduates may pursue careers as actuarial analysts, risk analysts, data analysts, financial analysts, insurance analysts, underwriting analysts, or other quantitative roles in business, insurance, finance, government, and industry.
No. While the concentration is designed to prepare students for actuarial careers, it also develops transferable skills useful in data analytics, finance, risk management, business intelligence, statistics, and other quantitative fields.
Students typically study calculus, probability, statistics, linear algebra, mathematical reasoning, and other advanced topics that support actuarial modeling, financial analysis, and risk assessment.
Yes. Probability and statistics are central to actuarial science because they help students analyze uncertainty, model future outcomes, and make data-informed decisions.
Yes. Actuarial science connects mathematics with finance, insurance, and risk. Students gain preparation in areas relevant to financial mathematics, risk modeling, and long-term decision-making.
Yes. The concentration is intended to support preparation for early actuarial exams and related professional pathways. Students interested in becoming actuaries should also plan for independent exam preparation and professional credentialing after graduation.
Students develop skills in quantitative reasoning, mathematical modeling, data interpretation, probability, statistics, financial analysis, computational problem solving, and clear communication of technical information.
Yes. Modern actuarial and quantitative careers require the use of technology, computational tools, spreadsheets, statistical software, and data analysis methods.
Yes. Graduates may pursue graduate study in actuarial science, mathematics, statistics, data science, finance, economics, analytics, business, or related fields.
Actuarial science focuses especially on risk, uncertainty, insurance, finance, and long-term financial outcomes. Data science is broader and often focuses on extracting insights, building predictive models, and working with large datasets across many industries. The two fields overlap significantly in their use of statistics, modeling, and computation.
A general mathematics degree provides broad preparation in mathematical theory and applications. The Actuarial Science Concentration adds a more career-focused pathway in probability, statistics, finance, risk analysis, and actuarial preparation.
Yes. Actuaries and actuarial analysts must explain technical results clearly to business leaders, clients, regulators, and other audiences who may not have advanced mathematical training.
This concentration allows students to study mathematics deeply while preparing for a high-demand quantitative career path involving risk, data, finance, insurance, and decision-making under uncertainty.