Syllabus for Math-346.

Course: Math-346. Interest theory and related topics. Fall 2008.
Prerequisite: Math-222 or consent of instructor.

Schedule: MWF 9:40-10:40 at Science Library 306 and R 8:30-9:55 at Library North 1120.
Class attendance : Mandatory. Following the academic policy listed in the University Bulletin, I will not grade neither homeworks nor exams of any student missing more than 25 percent of the classes. The assigned grade for these homeworks and exams will be a zero.
Lective days : Following the Binghamton University Academic Calendar, this is a list of the lective days for Math-346:

Class schedule

Augus Septem Septem Septem Septem Octob Octob Octob Octob Octob Novem Novem Novem Novem Decem Decem

Mond. 25 ld 8 15 22 RH 6 13 20 27 3 10 17 24 1 8

Tuesd. 26 2 9 16 23 RH 7 14 21 28 4 11 18 25 2 9

Wedne. 27 3 10 17 24 RH 8 15 22 29 5 12 19 26 3 10

Friday 29 5 12 19 26 3 YK 17 24 31 7 14 21 TG 5 12

Some deadlines: Sept 5, Course add deadline. Sept 5, Course drop/delete deadline. Oct 24, Course withdraw (with a "w") deadline.
Contents : The course follows the syllabus of SOA Exam FM/CAS Exam 2: interest theory, annuities, amortization, bonds, portfolio insurance, derivative markets. For an abridged exposition of the material in the course, see Material.
Learning objectives: Pass Exam FM. To pass Exam FM, it is needed to know very well the concepts tested in this exam and being able to do novel difficult problems. A proportion of the problems in midterms will be original problems quite different from the problems in the textbook and homeworks.
Required Textbook : Arcones Study Manual for SOA Exam FM/CAS Exam 2, by Miguel A. Arcones. Available at Mad River
Requisite: The Texas Instruments calculator model either BA-II Plus, or BA-II Plus Professional. Another useful calculator for the actuarial exam is the TI-30-X-II. The only calculators allowed are BA-35, BA II Plus, BA II Plus Professional, TI-30Xa, TI-30XIIS and TI-30XIIB. Only these calculators will be allowed in midterms and final exams. Exams from students caught using other calculators will not be graded.
Instructor: Miguel A. Arcones.
E-mail: arcones@math.binghamton.edu.
Phone number: 777-2593.

Office: LN-2229.

Office hours: Monday: 10:50-11:50 a.m.; Wednesday: 10:50-11:50; Thursday: 10:05-11:30 a.m.; or by appointment. If you need to contact me or have any questions, please e-mail me at: arcones@math.binghamton.edu.

Grading: Homework (20 %), three midterms (55 %) and a final (25 %). If you miss an exam (or homework), your score for that exam (or homework) will be a zero. For the assignment of grades, see: Grading.

Course materials: You can find the homeworks and exams at web page: homeworks. You need to print the homeworks from the web.
Material in homework:
1st homework: sections 1.1-1.5, due on 9-8.
2nd homework: section 1.6 and chapter 2, due on 9-16.
3rd homework: sections 3.1-3.2, due on 10-7.
4th homework: sections 3.3-3.4, due on 10-14.
5th homework: chapter 4, due on 10-21.
6th homework: chapter 5, due on 11-5.
7th homework: chapter 6, due on 11-18.
8th homework: sections 7.1-7.4, due on 12-3.
9th homework: section 7.5-7.11, due on the day of the final.

Midterm exams:
1st midterm, chapters 1 and 2, on Tuesday, September 16.
2nd midterm, chapters 3 and 4 on Tuesday, October 21.
3rd midterm, chapters 5 and 6 on Tuesday, November 18.

Final exam: chapters 1 through 7, with special emphasis in Chapter 7. Wednesday, 12/17/2008, from 8:30-10:30 at LH 009.

Make-ups: If you need to take a make-up, if possible, an advance request should be given. Checkable written proof to justify the request should be given. Death of a grandparent is not a reason to neither miss class, nor to request a make-up.
Academic Dishonesty: Students found cheating will be reported to the Provost Office following the academic prodedure listed in the University Bulletin.