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Groundbreaking math course at Cal State LA helps prepare students for actuarial career

June 07, 2024
Students walking down the campus walkway.
Photo: Cal State LA students on the way to their classes. (Credit: J. Emilio Flores/Cal State LA)

Groundbreaking math course at Cal State LA helps prepare students for actuarial career

June 07, 2024
Students walking down the campus walkway.
Photo: Cal State LA students on the way to their classes. (Credit: J. Emilio Flores/Cal State LA)

For the second year in a row, the Department of Mathematics at Cal State LA will offer a groundbreaking course that paves way for a rewarding career in actuarial science.

Actuarial science is defined as a discipline that assesses financial risks in the insurance and finance fields, using mathematical and statistical methods.

The course, “Mathematical Finance and Interest Theory,” aligns with the syllabus for the Financial Mathematics (FM) exam, which is administered by the Society of Actuaries (SOA). Attaining a requisite score in this course enables students to earn credits recognized by the SOA.

SOA is a global organization that provides actuaries with professional development, education and exams, research, and other resources to promote the field of actuary and the careers of its members.

“By offering this course and forging a partnership with the SOA through its University-Earned Credit (UEC) program, we are providing our students with a unique opportunity,” said Jie Zhong, assistant professor of mathematics in the university’s College of Natural and Social Sciences. “This will help ensure that students at Cal State LA are well-prepared to excel in the FM exam.”

According to Professor Zhong, Cal State LA is the first institution in California to secure UEC approval, which underscores the university’s commitment to innovation and excellence in education.

“This initiative not only opens doors to lucrative career paths but also positions our students as competitive candidates in the job market,” said Zhong, who was instrumental in the course development. “Since its inception in fall 2023, the course has already begun to yield promising results.”

For more information or to register for this class in the fall, please contact Zhong at 323-343-2155 or jie.zhong@calstatela.edu.

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California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 26,000 students and has more than 250,000 distinguished alumni.

Cal State LA is home to the critically-acclaimed Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs, Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center, Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility, Billie Jean King Sports Complex and the TV, Film and Media Center. For more information, visit www.CalStateLA.edu.