Binghamton University offers two degrees in this field: BA in Actuarial Science and BS in Actuarial Science. Before you declare a major in actuarial science, you may want to think about the following questions very carefully:

• Have you shown strong aptitude in mathematics or quantitative skills in general? An example would be grades of your calculus courses. Usually, if you did not get a grade greater than B in calculus, it is early indicator that you will have some difficulties in the actuarial program. In extreme cases, you may suffer from studying something that you are not very good at, fail several attempts to an exam and may not even find a job related to actuarial career after graduation.
• Are you a self-motivated person? Can you work on yourself to study the materials without an instructor? Do you study because you want to become an actuary or your parents want you to do? Remember there are many advanced exams to pass even after you graduate from college.

If your answers to either questions are YES, then you may be on the right track to become an actuary.

On the other hand, be aware that you can become an actuary without a degree in actuarial science. A really self-motivated person can buy a book off the bookstore and study without the class.

The major requirements for each student may differ and they depend on the time that the student first entered the university. See the university bulletin for the requirements for a particular year. In case of ambiguity, the student should consult the DARS report, the Degree Work, the designated advisor in the math department, the director of undergraduate student in the math department or the Harpur advising office.

Effective for students entering the university in or after Fall 2017

The following courses are required for the BA and BS degrees.

• Common requirements for both BA and BS
  • Calculus and Linear Algebra: 224 and 225, either both 226 and 227 or 230, 323, 304;
  • Number Systems: 330 (it is strongly advised that this course is taken as soon as 227 or 230 is completed);
  • Computing: 329;
  • Actuarial foundation courses: 346, 447, 448;
  • Actuarial elective courses: two courses from 450, 452, 454, 455, 457, and either 458 or ECON 467;
  • Economics courses: ECON 160 and 162.
• Additional requirements for BS only
  • Advanced math courses: two courses from 404, 472, 478 and 479;
  • Actuarial elective courses: two additional courses from 450, 452, 454, 455, 457, and either 458 or ECON 467;
  • Advanced Economics courses: ECON 360 and 362.

There are 12.5 required 4-credit courses for the BA degree (10.5 from Department of Mathematical Sciences and 2 from Department of Economics).

There are 18.5 required 4-credit courses for the BS degree (14.5 from Department of Mathematical Sciences and 4 from Department of Economics).

In recent years, many of our students have managed to pass Exam P/1 and Exam FM/2 before taking the corresponding courses Math 447 and Math 346. Many have been curious whether they can be waived on taking these courses. Please read the highlighted texts on this page for our policy and suggestions in these situations.

The table below shows a sample schedule for a typical BS actuarial major. For BA students, fewer courses are required. Many of our majors come in with AP credits for Calculus I (224/225) and Econ 160/162. In this case, shift the schedule up by one or two semesters.

Courses that fulfill a VEE requirement are labelled (vee). Not all the courses above are required. Those which are not part of the major requirements are merely recommended.

Effective for students entering the university in or after Fall 2014

• A course in which a student earns a grade of C- or less is not acceptable as a prerequisite and cannot be used to fulfill the requirements for the major.
• A Pass grade (P) does not count toward the major (unless the only grade available is Pass/Fail; in this case, consent of the department is required).
• A grade-point average of 2.0 or higher in major courses is required for satisfactory completion of the major.
• A student who has received credit for a course may not take one of its prerequisites for credit at a later time.