Students
ACST8088 – Quantitative Asset and Liability Modelling 2
2021 – Session 2, Weekday attendance, North Ryde
Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update
The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.
This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.
Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor and Lecturer
Chong It Tan
4ER 738
Refer to iLearn
Deanna Tracy
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(STAT810 or STAT8310 or STAT806) and (ACST881 or ACST8081)
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
The topics covered in this unit include: an introduction to stochastic processes; martingales; an introduction to stochastic calculus; Ito's lemma; forwards, futures, swaps and options; arbitrage-free pricing via replicating portfolio and risk neutral probability measures; the Girsanov theorem; the Black-Scholes option pricing model for European options; the 'Greeks' and dynamic hedging; term structure of interest rates; relations among short rates, forward rates and default-free zero-coupon bonds; interest rate models; firm-value and intensity-based credit risk models; ruin theory; valuation of basic guarantees. Students gaining a credit average in both ACST8087 and ACST8088 (minimum mark of 60 on both units) will satisfy the requirements for exemption from the professional subject CM2 of the Actuaries Institute. |
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:
- ULO1: Understand the use of stochastic calculus in modelling security prices and valuation of option pricing approaches
- ULO2: Demonstrate an understanding of the Black-Scholes option pricing model via both the partial differential equation approach and the risk-neutral pricing approach.
- ULO3: Describe the use of interest models in term of structure modelling and pricing of zero-coupon bonds.
- ULO4: Describe the different approaches to modelling credit risk.
- ULO5: Apply ruin theory to insurance problems.
- ULO6: Explain various concepts in stochastic calculus in the risk-neutral valuation approach.
General Assessment Information
Late submissions of assignments
Sometimes unavoidable circumstances occur that might prevent you from submitting an assignment on time and, in that case, you may be eligible to lodge a Special Consideration request.
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, please note that no extensions to assignment deadlines will be granted. Assignments that are submitted late will attract a late penalty:
- There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late.
- No assignment will be accepted more than 72 hours after the due date and time (incl. weekends) after the original due date.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment | 20% | No | 29 September 12pm |
| Class Test | 20% | No | 20 October 3pm |
| Final Exam | 60% | No | University Examination Period |
Assignment
Assessment Type 1: Quantitative analysis task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 29 September 12pm
Weighting: 20%
This is an individual assignment which focuses on problem solving using Excel spreadsheet.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand the use of stochastic calculus in modelling security prices and valuation of option pricing approaches
- Demonstrate an understanding of the Black-Scholes option pricing model via both the partial differential equation approach and the risk-neutral pricing approach.
- Describe the use of interest models in term of structure modelling and pricing of zero-coupon bonds.
- Explain various concepts in stochastic calculus in the risk-neutral valuation approach.
Class Test
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: 20 October 3pm
Weighting: 20%
The test will be approximately 90 minutes, to be held during class time.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand the use of stochastic calculus in modelling security prices and valuation of option pricing approaches
- Demonstrate an understanding of the Black-Scholes option pricing model via both the partial differential equation approach and the risk-neutral pricing approach.
- Describe the use of interest models in term of structure modelling and pricing of zero-coupon bonds.
- Explain various concepts in stochastic calculus in the risk-neutral valuation approach.
Final Exam
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 28 hours
Due: University Examination Period
Weighting: 60%
The final examination will be closed book, a three-hour written paper with ten minutes reading time, to be held during the University Examination period.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand the use of stochastic calculus in modelling security prices and valuation of option pricing approaches
- Demonstrate an understanding of the Black-Scholes option pricing model via both the partial differential equation approach and the risk-neutral pricing approach.
- Describe the use of interest models in term of structure modelling and pricing of zero-coupon bonds.
- Describe the different approaches to modelling credit risk.
- Apply ruin theory to insurance problems.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Classes
It is intended that learning in this session will be a combination of pre-recorded online lecture and on-campus tutorials. Please refer to iLearn for further details.
Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials
Required texts
Detailed lecture notes and tutorial exercises are available on the unit's iLearn site.
Recommended Textbooks
•Options, Futures and Other Derivatives (9th edition); John Hull
•An Introduction to the Mathematics of Financial Derivatives (2nd edition); Salih N. Neftci
•Interest Rate Models: An Introduction; Andrew J. G. Cairns
•Insurance Risk and Ruin (2nd edition); David C. M. Dickson
Each copy of these books is available in the Reserve section of the Library and can be purchased from the Macquarie University Co-op bookshops.
Technology Used and Required
Students need to be able to use a computer softwares (such as Excel, R) to analyse financial problems. Although the unit does not aim to teach students how to use these softwares, you are encouraged to make use of spreadsheets and other software packages for the assignment.
Unit Webpage
The webpage for this unit can be accessed via the iLearn site at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au
Teaching and Learning Strategy
The unit is taught using two-hour lecture and one-hour tutorial each week. You are expected to read lecture materials in advance of the lectures. The tutorial is an opportunity for you to attempt questions for each section of work, or to ask questions. It is highly recommended to try to solve questions in advance of the tutorials.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.