Curriculum for Master of Science degree

The MS in Financial Mathematics is a two-year degree (4 semesters) with coursework from the Mathematics, Statistics, and Scientific Computing Departments, and available electives from Economics, Finance, and Computer Science.

There are two track options:

  1. Quantitative Finance/Financial Engineering track

    This track gives a general mathematical background for work in the financial industry, including available coursework in machine learning, stochastic methods, and numerical analysis. (more)

  2. Actuarial Science track

    The actuarial science track prepares students for an Actuarial career, with a focus on providing background and preparation for actuarial exams. (more) Qualified MS students in this track are eligible for special Actuarial Teaching Assistantships. See the support page.

Both tracks require 33 letter graded hours (11 courses) plus 2 S/U graded Proseminar hours.

See below for some sample course schedules.

Quantitative Finance/Financial Engineering MS track

To complete the degree, students take the following courses:

  • MAP 5601 Introduction to Financial Mathematics, 3 hrs, Fall
  • MAP 6621 Financial Engineering I, 3 hrs, Spring
  • MAP 5615 Monte Carlo Methods in Financial Mathematics, 3 hrs, Spring
  • MAT 5939r Financial Mathematics Proseminar, 1 hour in Fall and Spring, for a total of 2 hours.
  • ISC 5305 Scientific Programming, 3 hrs, Fall
  • STA5326 Distribution theory and Inference or STA 6346 Advanced Probability and Inference I, 3 hrs, Fall
  • CAP 5768 Introduction to Data Science, 3 hrs, Fall
and five or six additional approved elective courses.

Actuarial Science track

Students will take the following courses (unless adjusted when a student has already passed an Actuarial exam):

  • MAP 5601 Introduction to Financial Mathematics, 3 hrs, Fall
  • MAT 5907 Financial Mathematics for Actuaries, 3 hrs, Fall
  • MAP 5932 Short Term Actuarial Math I, 3 hrs, Spring
  • MAT5932 Short-Term Actuarial Models II, 3 hrs, Fall
  • MAP 5177 Long-Term Actuarial Models I, 3 hrs, Fall
  • MAP 5178 Long-Term Actuarial Models II, 3 hrs, Spring
  • STA 5325 Mathematical Statistics, 3 hrs, Spring
  • STA 5207 Applied Regression Methods, 3 hrs, Fall
  • STA 5856 Time Series and Forecasting Methods, 3 hrs, Spring
plus two additional seminars from the following list:
  • Actuarial P-Seminar, 1 hrs, Fall
  • Actuarial FM-Seminar, 1 hrs, Spring
  • MAT 5939 Financial Mathematics Proseminar, 1 hrs, Fall

Applicants should indicate an interest in this track at the time of application.

See the Elective Options page for a list of approved electives for the MS degree.
Sample Schedules

= Elective course option

Quantitative Finance/Financial Engineering track

1st Fall 1st Spring Summer 2nd Fall 2nd Spring
MAP5601 Introduction to Financial Mathematics MAP6621 Financial Engineering I Elective approved internship CAP 5768 Introduction to Data Science MAP5615 Monte Carlo in Financial Math
ISC 5305 Scientific Programming MAP5611 Introduction to Computational Finance Elective Elective
STA5326 Distribution Theory and Inference or STA 6346 Advanced Probability and Inference I CAP 5771 Data Mining Elective (Elective)
MAT5939 Financial Math Proseminar MAT5939 Financial Math Proseminar
Actuarial Science track

1st Fall 1st Spring Summer 2nd Fall 2nd Spring
STA5326 Distribution theory and Inference STA 5325 Mathematical Statistics Elective approved internship STA 5207 Applied Regression Methods STA 5856 Time Series and Forecasting Methods
MAP5601 Introduction to Financial Mathematics Elective MAP 5177 Long-Term Actuarial Models I MAP 5178 Long-Term Actuarial Models II
MAT 5907 Financial Mathematics for Actuaries MAP 5932 Short Term Actuarial Math I MAP 5932 Short Term Actuarial Math II (Elective)
MAT 5939 Financial Math Proseminar MAT 5939 Financial Math Proseminar
Actuarial P-Seminar Actuarial FM-Seminar  
 

Last Revised 9/17/2024