UMAC 101 The University of Manitoba Actuarial Club

UMAC 101
The University of Manitoba Actuarial Club
So you’ve decided to become an Actuary? You’re excited and want to learn more but where
do you start? What are the next steps? What courses do you take? This guide will act as a
handy reference and help you get started with all the facts an actuarial student should know!
What is UMAC?
The University of Manitoba Actuarial Club (UMAC) is a membership-based student group at the
University of Manitoba. UMAC’s purpose is to develop a strong network of actuarial students, while
assisting them as they progress forward in their academic careers. We help forge connections
between students and potential employers, as well as host various social events throughout the year.
Overall, UMAC’s primary goal is to enhance your school year as much as possible, ensuring that you
have successful and fun time during your journey through the program!
UMAC Membership Fee: $20
Club executives will come around classes in early September to collect membership fees. If you
happen to miss them you can always bring the money to the UMAC office (located in the Drake
Centre, Room 123) from 1PM-4PM Monday-Thursday, or by appointment. Please keep in mind that
the “Annual Fish Dinner” has a separate fee in addition to the membership fee, however, UMAC
members will receive a discounted fee. We urge you to join UMAC today so you can start receiving
updates, event invites, and more!
UMAC Executive Team
Meet your UMAC Executive team for the 2014-2015
academic year!
ASNA Representative
Roger Tran
[email protected]
Co-Presidents
Elizabeth Wanke & Melanie Skiarski
[email protected]
[email protected]
3rd Year Representative
Jordan Gerry
[email protected]
Treasurer
Sean McFetridge
[email protected]
Promotions Coordinator
Michael Etkin
[email protected]
Secretary
Michael Vo
[email protected]
Communications Chair
Stuart Tisdale
[email protected]
Courses
The table below outlines the courses that directly prepare you for the SOA/CAS actuarial exams. It is
important that you determine the pre-requisites for each course and the minimum grades required
to move forward. If you have any questions about course selection you may contact any UMAC
executive and we would be glad to help!
STAT 2400 – Introduction to Probability I
EXAM P/1
STAT 3400 – Introduction to Probability II
ACT 2120 – Interest Theory
EXAM FM/2
ACT 2020 – Economic and Financial Applications
EXAM MLC/3L
ACT 3630 – Models for Life Contingencies
EXAM MFE/3F
ACT 3340 – Financial Derivatives for Actuarial
Practice
EXAM C/4
ACT 4630 – Construction and Evaluation of
Actuarial Models
*Note: Not all of the courses above are required to attain an Actuarial degree. Please contact your respective
undergraduate office for help determining what courses you need to graduate.
Approved Calculators
For the SOA/CAS examinations and for certain
courses at the UofM, only the following Texas
Instruments calculators are approved:






BA-35
BA II Plus
BA II Plus Professional
TI-30Xa
TI-30XII (IIS Solar or IIB Battery)
TI-30XS Multiview (or XB Battery)
It is important that you get your hands on an
approved calculator early so that you know
how to use it come time for your exam.
Upcoming Events

SEPTEMBER 9 – What is an Actuary?
Listen to presentations from members in the industry about what Actuaries do on the job,
the different types of Actuaries, and more!

SEPTEMBER 11 – Kick-Off BBQ
Come out to the UMAC Kick-Off BBQ to celebrate the start of a new academic year. This is a
great opportunity to meet other students, play some games and eat some grub!

OCTOBER 2 – Excel Workshop
In addition to enhancing your interview skills, a Microsoft Excel workshop will be held prior to
recruiting, giving you the opportunity to enhance your technical skills, which are needed for
internship placements.

OCTOBER 7 – Speed Interviews
Practice your interview skills with industry members in a “speed dating” format! This event is
strategically timed right before internship season so don’t miss out!

October 16 – The 53rd Annual Fish Dinner
The biggest event of the year, UMAC’s annual Fish Dinner is a night out to eat great food
with your peers while listening to special guest keynote speakers. The Fish Dinner is an
excellent way to expand your network by meeting recruiters and industry members alike.
Mark this off on your calendar for it will be an amazing and unforgettable night!
The UMACtuary (Newsletter)
To better communications throughout the
program, UMAC publishes a bi-monthly
newsletter titled the “UMACtuary”. The
newsletter will contain information about the
program and keep students up to date with
upcoming events, as well as recaps of past
events. It will also have articles about the
actuarial industry, written by authors of various
backgrounds ranging from student interns to
industry leaders. If you would like to submit an
article for the newsletter please contact the
Communications Chair (Stuart Tisdale) at his
email address: [email protected]
Internet Resources
SOA.org
CASact.org
The Society of Actuaries main webpage.
Information about the industry (designations,
exams, articles/publications, conferences,
etc.) can be found here.
The Casualty Actuarial Society main webpage.
Provides similar types of information as the
SOA webpage, curated to Property & Casualty
actuarial tracks.
umanitoba.ca/actuarial
beanactuary.org
The Warren Centre for Actuarial Studies &
Research main website. Here you will find all
the info you need about the university
programs.
A great online resource for learning about
what an Actuary is, details about exams, and
more in-depth information about how to
become an Actuary.
actuarialoutpost.com
actuaries.ca
An online forum for students and
professionals to engage in discussion about
topics that arise in the actuarial community,
such as exams, career paths, and general
interest topics.
The Canadian Institute of Actuaries
homepage. Here you can learn about what it
means to be an Actuary in Canada, exam
exemptions, and how to obtain the FCIA
designation.
Contact Information
UMAC Office
123 Drake Centre
Office Hours: Monday – Thursday, 1PM – 4PM
Website: http://umanitoba.ca/actuary_club
Facebook: http://facebook.com/groups/UMActuarialClub
Twitter: @UMACexec
Dr. Jeffrey Pai
Professor & Director
Warren Centre for Actuarial Studies & Research
640 Drake Centre
Phone: (204) 474-6412
Email: [email protected]
*NOTE: For those who are enrolled
through the Science program, you
must have your courses approved by
Dr. Pai first, and then you can get your
forms signed at the science advisor’s
office (239 Machray Hall).
If you are enrolled through the
Business (BComm) program, you do
not have to get anything signed, but if
you have any questions or concerns
you may contact Dr. Pai or any one of
the UMAC Executives.