Students
ACST403 – Actuarial Control Cycle 2
2015 – S2 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Shauna Ferris
Contact via shauna.ferris@mq.edu.au
e4a 617
Wednesdays 12:00-2:00 or by appointment
Lecturer
Peter Carroll
Contact via peter.carroll@mq.edu.au
Lecturer
Bruce Edwards
Contact via bruce.edwards@mq.edu.au
Administrator
Hong Xie
Angela Chow
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
3
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
ACST402
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit, in conjunction with ACST402 Actuarial Control Cycle 1, develops and applies the actuarial principles and practices underlying the design, assessment, management and control of financial systems in the areas of life insurance, general insurance, and superannuation and other less traditional areas of actuarial practice. The two units together consider the process of actuarial and financial management including: product design; pricing; marketing; monitoring of experience; reserve setting; financing; solvency; determination and distribution of surplus; and its role in enterprise risk management. The overall control process is studied within the constraints imposed by the commercial environment and the actuarial professional code of conduct and standards. This includes a discussion of business ethics and issues of professionalism in actuarial practice. Students gaining a grade of credit or higher in all of ACST402, ACST403 and ACST404 are eligible for exemption from Part 2 of the professional exams of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Discuss and apply an Actuarial Control Cycle in a variety of practical commercial situations
- Apply a Risk Assessment Framework to identify and assess the risks in a range of commercial situations
- Apply relevant approaches and techniques to the valuation of liabilities
- Measure and report emerging profits and/or costs
- Measure, report, and manage Solvency
- Monitor and Assess Experience
- Manage the business and respond to the experience
General Assessment Information
In order to pass this unit, you must pass the final exam.
A Standardised Numerical Grade (SNG) gives you an indication of how you have performed within the band for your description grade. The SNG is not a mark and you may not be able to work it out from your raw examination mark and other assessment marks. Nor are you able to determine that you are "one mark away" from a different grade.
The Macquarie University units Actuarial Control Cycle 1, Actuarial Control Cycle 2, and Investment Management are accredited by the Actuaries Institute. You will be recommended for exemption from Part 2 of the professional qualifications if:
* you attain grades of Credit or better in all three units, or
* you attain an average SNG of 65 or better across all three units, with an SNG of at least 60 in each unit,
The Actuaries Institute sends external examiners to review the performance of borderline students and to verify that appropriate exemption standards have been maintained.
Extension and Penalties
No extensions will be granted. Late assignments will be accepted up to 72 hours after the submission deadline. A penalty of 20% of the awarded marks will apply for each complete 24 hour period after the due date/time. This penalty does not apply when the student has made an application for special consideration and special consideration has been granted.
It is the responsibility of the student to apply to Macquarie University to recommend them to the Actuaries Institute for professional exemptions. For information about this process please refer to Http://www.businessandeconomics.mq.edu.au/current_students/undergraduate/how_do_i/exemptions_for_professional_examinations
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessed Coursework | 5% | No | Weeks 2 to 12 (see Schedule) |
| Presentation | 10% | No | See Instructions |
| Major Assignment | 15% | No | Tuesday September 22 5pm |
| Final Examination | 70% | No | University Exam Timetable |
Assessed Coursework
Due: Weeks 2 to 12 (see Schedule)
Weighting: 5%
Textbook Chapter Tasks
Submission: You must submit textbook chapter tasks from time to time during the term. Submit electronically via iLearn before 5 pm on Tuesday as per the schedule on iLearn.
What is required to com plete the unit satisfactorily: Each textbook chapter task requires you to read a chapter of the textbook or a related reading and provide a one-page answer to a question based on the chapter's topic. A sample of these chapter tasks will be marked.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Discuss and apply an Actuarial Control Cycle in a variety of practical commercial situations
- Apply a Risk Assessment Framework to identify and assess the risks in a range of commercial situations
- Apply relevant approaches and techniques to the valuation of liabilities
- Measure and report emerging profits and/or costs
- Measure, report, and manage Solvency
- Monitor and Assess Experience
- Manage the business and respond to the experience
Presentation
Due: See Instructions
Weighting: 10%
Submission of written material: You should submit the executive outline and a copy of your presentation slides before Sunday October 4 by 5 pm. Submit via iLearn (instructions will be posted).
Submission relating to oral presentation : Students must register their group and topic via iLearn before 5 pm on Tuesday 22 September. Students will make their presentations during Week 9 (the week commencing Monday October 5), at an appointed time. The schedule of presentation times will be posted on iLearn.
What is required:
(a) Written material to be handed in: Preparation of Materials for Class Presentation. Slides and a handout, executive summary for a presentation; and
(b) An oral presentation
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Discuss and apply an Actuarial Control Cycle in a variety of practical commercial situations
- Apply a Risk Assessment Framework to identify and assess the risks in a range of commercial situations
- Apply relevant approaches and techniques to the valuation of liabilities
- Measure and report emerging profits and/or costs
- Measure, report, and manage Solvency
- Monitor and Assess Experience
- Manage the business and respond to the experience
Major Assignment
Due: Tuesday September 22 5pm
Weighting: 15%
Submission: Submit electronically via iLearn before 5 pm on Tuesday September 22 by 5 pm
What is required : Analysis of an actuarial problem (details given on iLearn)
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Discuss and apply an Actuarial Control Cycle in a variety of practical commercial situations
- Apply a Risk Assessment Framework to identify and assess the risks in a range of commercial situations
- Apply relevant approaches and techniques to the valuation of liabilities
- Measure and report emerging profits and/or costs
- Measure, report, and manage Solvency
- Monitor and Assess Experience
- Manage the business and respond to the experience
Final Examination
Due: University Exam Timetable
Weighting: 70%
To be eligible to pass this unit, a pass is required in the final examination.
Exam ination conditions: The exam will be 3 hours long, with ten minutes reading time.
Normal University examination rules apply. Calculators will be allowed in the final examination but a clear indication of the steps involved in every calculation must be shown. Any machines that have a text-retrieval capacity, specifically those with a full alphabet on the keyboard, are not allowed. Calculators may be checked at the commencement of the examination, and the make/model may be recorded.
Dictionaries are not permitted in the final exam, and no reference materials are allowed to be taken into the final exam.
You should ensure that your handwriting in the final examination is legible. Sections of work that are not legible will not be marked
Date and location of Examination: The Examination will be conducted during the University examination period. The examination timetable will be published on the University website later in the term. The exam timetable will be available in Draft form approximately eight weeks before the commencement of the examinations and in Final form approximately four weeks before the commencement of the examinations.
What is required to complete the unit satisfactorily: To be eligible to pass this unit, a pass is required in the final examination.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Discuss and apply an Actuarial Control Cycle in a variety of practical commercial situations
- Apply a Risk Assessment Framework to identify and assess the risks in a range of commercial situations
- Apply relevant approaches and techniques to the valuation of liabilities
- Measure and report emerging profits and/or costs
- Measure, report, and manage Solvency
- Monitor and Assess Experience
- Manage the business and respond to the experience
Delivery and Resources
Classes
The Actuarial Control Cycle 2 is a co-taught unit, available to both ACST403 and ACST832 students. Lectures are offered in three modes – campus classes (North Ryde), city classes (Sydney CBD) and distance education (students can be located anywhere).
ACST403 on campus classes are:
10:00 to 12:00 Tuesday in C5C Collaborative Forum C5C/230
10:00 to 12:00 Wednesday in C5C Collaborative Forum C5C/230
Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials
Required texts : Bellis, C, Lyon, R, Klugman, S & Shepherd, J (2010) Understanding Actuarial Management: the actuarial control cycle, 2nd edition, Institute of Actuaries of Australia.
Copies of the textbook are available in the Special Reserve section of the library.
There is a Learning Guide for each section of work. You should read the Learning Guide before the lectures, and bring a copy with you to classes.
Additional readings will be posted on iLearn.
Technology Used and Required
In this unit, you will need to have access to and to be able to use software to produce overhead slides, software to produce pdf documents, and word-processing software to produce reports.
Downloadable lecture recordings
The University audio-visual team makes recordings of on-campus lectures. These will be available via iLearn (use the Echo360 tab on the right hand side of the home page).
Some additional recordings will be posted on iLearn in MP4 format.
Unit web page
The web page for this unit can be accessed via the “login” button on http://ilearn.mq.edu.au
You should check the website regularly (at least twice a week) to read announcements posted by University staff. Announcements are also posted to your University email account, and you should check your email regularly. This is your responsibility and we cannot make allowances for students who miss important information.
Teaching and Learning Strategy
We assume that you have acquired the knowledge and skills included in the syllabi for the Part I (Core technology) subjects and Actuarial Control Cycle I.
You should prepare for each lecture by reading the relevant chapter of the textbook, the Learning Guide, and any other readings posted on iLearn. We encourage all students to actively participate in class discussions and group work.
Unit Schedule
|
Week |
Commencing |
Topic |
Lecturer |
|
1 |
July 27 |
Valuing Liabilities |
Bruce Edwards |
|
2 |
August 3 |
Profits |
Bruce Edwards |
|
3 |
August 10 |
Risk Management |
Bruce Edwards |
|
4 |
August 17 |
Solvency 1 |
Shauna Ferris |
|
5 |
August 24 |
Solvency 2 |
|
|
6 |
August 31 |
Regal / Occidental Case study |
Bruce Edwards |
|
7 |
September 7 |
Monitoring Experience 1 |
Shauna Ferris |
|
Break |
September 14 |
|
|
|
Break |
September 21 |
Assignments due |
|
|
8 |
September 28 |
Monitoring Experience 2 |
Bruce Edwards |
|
9 |
October 5 |
Presentations by students |
Bruce Edwards, Peter Carroll, Shauna Ferris
|
|
10 |
October 12 |
Responding to Experience 1 |
Bruce Edwards |
|
11 |
October 19 |
Responding to Experience 2 |
Bruce Edwards |
|
12 |
October 26 |
Professionalism |
Peter Carroll |
|
13 |
November 2 |
Revision |
Shauna Ferris |
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Supplementary Exams
Further information regarding supplementary exams, including dates, is available here
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Graduate Capabilities
Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Discuss and apply an Actuarial Control Cycle in a variety of practical commercial situations
- Apply a Risk Assessment Framework to identify and assess the risks in a range of commercial situations
- Apply relevant approaches and techniques to the valuation of liabilities
- Measure and report emerging profits and/or costs
- Measure, report, and manage Solvency
- Monitor and Assess Experience
- Manage the business and respond to the experience
Assessment tasks
- Assessed Coursework
- Major Assignment
- Final Examination
Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Discuss and apply an Actuarial Control Cycle in a variety of practical commercial situations
- Apply a Risk Assessment Framework to identify and assess the risks in a range of commercial situations
- Apply relevant approaches and techniques to the valuation of liabilities
- Measure and report emerging profits and/or costs
- Measure, report, and manage Solvency
- Monitor and Assess Experience
- Manage the business and respond to the experience
Assessment tasks
- Assessed Coursework
- Major Assignment
- Final Examination
Problem Solving and Research Capability
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Discuss and apply an Actuarial Control Cycle in a variety of practical commercial situations
- Apply a Risk Assessment Framework to identify and assess the risks in a range of commercial situations
- Apply relevant approaches and techniques to the valuation of liabilities
- Measure and report emerging profits and/or costs
- Measure, report, and manage Solvency
- Monitor and Assess Experience
- Manage the business and respond to the experience
Assessment tasks
- Presentation
- Major Assignment
- Final Examination
Changes from Previous Offering
Research
RESEARCH
This units uses research in several ways:
* The unit uses research by Macquarie University researchers (e.g. current and former Macquarie staff members are editors and authors of the textbbok and other readings);
* This unit uses research from external sources (references will be provided);
* This unit gives you practice in applying research findings in your assignments.