Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Xian Zhou
Angela Chow
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Credit points |
Credit points
10
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MActPrac
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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 begins with coverage of the basics of data analysis and modelling. It continues with a rigorous mathematical development of compound interest theory, using calculus where appropriate, applying the theory to more complex financial problems. Topics include the force of interest and its relationship to interest rates, inflation and capital gains tax, discrete and continuous term certain annuities, project appraisal, loans, bonds, yield curves, matching and immunisation and the definitions of various insurance and annuity contracts. Students will be required to use an Excel spreadsheet to solve problems throughout the unit. The concepts developed in this unit are required in several subsequent units in the actuarial degree. Students gaining a credit average in both ACST8081 and ACST8082 (minimum mark of 60 on both units) will satisfy the requirements for exemption from the professional subject CM1 of the Actuaries Institute. |
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Late submissions of assessments Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, no extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available assessment-task marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24-hour period or part thereof that the submission is late. Late submissions will only be accepted up to 96 hours after the due date and time.
No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g., quizzes, online tests.
Table 1: Penalty calculation based on submission time
Submission time after the due date (including weekends) |
Penalty (% of available assessment task mark) |
Example: for a non-timed assessment task marked out of 30 |
< 24 hours |
10% |
10% x 30 marks = 3-mark deduction |
24-48 hours |
20% |
20% x 30 marks = 6-mark deduction |
48-72 hours |
30% |
30% x 30 marks = 9-mark deduction |
72-96 hours |
40% |
40% x 30 marks = 12-mark deduction |
> 96 hours |
100% |
Assignment won’t be accepted |
Special Consideration
To request an extension on the due date/time for a timed or non-timed assessment task, you must submit a Special Consideration application. An application for Special Consideration does not guarantee approval.
The approved extension date for a student becomes the new due date for that student. The late submission penalties above then apply as of the new due date.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
---|---|---|---|
Class Test | 20% | No | 6 April 2022 |
Assignment | 20% | No | 21 May 2022 |
Final Exam | 60% | No | Examination Period |
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 6 April 2022
Weighting: 20%
The test will be approximately 90 minutes, to be held during class time.
Assessment Type 1: Quantitative analysis task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 21 May 2022
Weighting: 20%
This is an individual assignment which focuses on problem solving using Excel spreadsheet.
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 28 hours
Due: 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.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Week 1: Principles of data analysis; Actuarial modelling; Theory of interest
Week 2: Theory of interest
Week 3: Cash flow and valuation
Week 4: Annuity
Week 5: Annuity
Week 6: Loan repayment schedule
Week 7: Capital budgeting; Class test
Semester break
Week 8: Capital budgeting; Investment valuation
Week 9: Investment valuation
Week 10: Arbitrage and forward contracts; Assignment
Week 11: Interest rate structure and risk
Week 12: Introduction to life insurance
Week 13: Revision
Note: This is only a tentative schedule. The actual schedule will be adjusted from time to time in accordance with the progress of lectures.
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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.
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 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
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.
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.
Unit information based on version 2022.04 of the Handbook