Skip to content
Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

309706 v.1 Master of Science (Actuarial and Financial Science)

MSc(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 054627G
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 1.5 Years


Course Overview

Master degrees (coursework) prepare students to apply advanced knowledge for professional practice, scholarship and further learning corresponding to AQF level 9 qualifications.


The course is designed to prepare graduates with a solid foundation of financial mathematics and actuarial science, for employment as financial advisors to a wide range of commercial organisations including insurance companies, investment and superannuation funds, banks and stockbrokers, as well as governments.


Professional Recognition

Graduates are eligible for membership of the Australian Mathematical society.


Career Opportunities

Graduates generally find employment with insurance companies, investment and superannuation funds, banks and stockbrokers, and governments.


Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials.



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au. Subject to the duration of the course applicants usually require a bachelor degree or equivalent (and may require relevant work experience), bachelor honours degree, graduate certificate or graduate diploma.


Specifically, applicants require a Honours degree or a four-year Bachelor degree in mathematics/statistics, science, engineering or finance. In addition, applicants must have basic mathematics and statistical background and competence equivalent to at least the level of Advanced Calculus 201 (unit code: 8127), Linear Algebra 202 (8128) and Statistical Methods 560 (301350). Unit information is available in the Online Handbook.


Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to doctoral degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.



Course Organisation

Master degrees (coursework) contain a series of units in a specialised area of study which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may also contain a range of majors/streams for students to choose from.


This course is available to both international and domestic students. The course covers a wide range of advanced studies in applied statistics, actuarial finance and investment science. Students must complete 12 units including the Master Project 503 and at least five other core units totalling 300 credits.



Duration and Availability

This fee paying course is one and a half years full-time or equivalent part-time study. Two intakes are offered each year in March and August.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 1   Y      
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 2   Y      

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.




Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
309805 v.1 **   Life Contingencies 501 4.0 25.0
309809 v.1 **   Risk Analysis and Credibility Theory 502 4.0 25.0
309811 v.1 **   Survival Analysis 501 4.0 25.0
309812 v.1 **   Theory of Interest 502 4.0 25.0
309813 v.1   Master Project 503 1.0 25.0
311632 v.1 **   Investment Science 501 4.0 25.0
12752 v.4 #   Corporate Finance 572 3.0 25.0
12754 v.4 #   Financial Derivative Securities 574 3.0 25.0
305813 v.4   Finance Principles 515 3.0 25.0
  SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   75.0
  300.0
Optional Units (No Year Level Specified) Hrs/Wk Credit
309803 v.1   Actuarial Statistics 501 4.0 25.0
6121 v.5   Advanced Optimisation Techniques 501 3.0 25.0
302332 v.3   Applied Statistics 401 3.0 25.0
12753 v.5   Financial Risk Management 573 3.0 25.0
309806 v.1   Life Contingencies 502 4.0 25.0
309807 v.1   Mathematical Statistics 503 4.0 25.0
6125 v.6   Numerical Methods 501 3.0 25.0
311623 v.2   Practical Mathematical Financial Modelling 202 3.0 25.0
301337 v.5   Business Financial Modelling 506 3.0 25.0
311630 v.2   Investment Science 502 4.0 25.0
312617 v.1   Actuarial Economics 502 4.0 25.0

#    Students who do not have a finance background and competence equivalent to Finance (Principles) 515, 305813, must first complete Finance (Principles) 515 to enrol in this unit

*    Other Mathematics/Finance options may be undertaken subject to consultation with and approval of the course coordinator

**    Students must do a minimum of 5 core units and may substitute a maximum of 2 core units with listed options




Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Science and Engineering on telephone (08) 9266 4600, email ssse@curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://scieng.curtin.edu.au


Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.




Handbook Disclaimer

The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.

For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.