MATH 490 - Mathematics of Finance - Syllabus

Instructor

Samuel P. Wilcock, PhD

Professor of Statistics; Dept. of Computing, Mathematics, and Physics

• Contact Information
  •     Office: F328
  •     E-mail: SWilcock@Messiah.edu
  •     Phone: x7092
• Education
  •     Garden Spot High School, New Holland, PA
  •     B.A., Messiah College, Major: Mathematics (minor: Statistics)
  •     M.S., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Major: Statistics
  •     Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Major: Statistics
• Personal
  •     Married, 5 Children (Ages 5-15)
  •     English and Jewish ancestry
  •     Straight, Cis, He/His

Textbook

Mathematics of Investment and Credit, 5th ed. (or earlier), by Samuel Broverman, ACTEX Publications, 2010

• This text will serve as a valuable resource for you throughout this course, and may be a useful resource for you if you do plan to take the actuarial exams. We will be covering many of the sections, so I strongly suggest you read through the sections in the book as we go to insure that you are understanding what I cover in class. I would strongly suggest that you work through example problems from the text as we go, but will not be assigning homework from a particular version of the text.

Attendance Policy

Class attendance is not required, but is strongly encouraged whether in person or any synchoronous online meetings. Active participation with any class session or material will aid you in learning the material that we are covering, and is therefore encouraged. In addition, you should come to class prepared with any material you have been told to bring along and have completed any assigned readings or practice and watched any suggested videos. This may include having physical or electronic access to handouts, tables, calculators, etc. Late graded material will only be accepted with a medical excuse. You should also be aware that an announcement made in Canvas will be considered sufficient warning about any changes to the course including deadlines and assignments. It is your responsibility to check email and Canvas regularly to be aware of any changes that have been made. I will not reteach material during my office hours that has already been covered in another venue, but will gladly halp you apply the material.

Proviso

The instructor reserves the right to penalize a student if excessive absences from in person classes or synchronous class meetings are noted. If such a situation should arise, the student will receive one warning via email or Canvas message, after which continued absences may result in a lowering of the overall course average by up to one percent per occurence of unexcused absences. It is expected that this proviso will rarely be invoked.

Office Hours

My office hours will be by appointment only. You may feel free to come and ask any questions about course material or anything else you may need help with. There is no limit to how many times you may use my office hours, but I ask that you sign up for one slot at a time. I would rather you use these times frequently and ask questions, than not use this resource and therefore do poorly in the class. Please email with some time for me to see and reply as well as several options that work for you since I may have other commitments that affect my availability. Please do not email requesting a meeting in just a few minutes as I may not be able to be that flexible. Check Canvas for more information about my expected availability and links to sign up for times (regular semester only).

Before Coming

Before coming to my office hours, whether in person on virtually, please take the time to adaquately prepare. You should organize your specific questions for me. Also, make sure that your notes, text, handouts, or any provided resources (videos, Canvas posts, etc.) do not already answer your question(s). This implies that you should already have read the sections of the text that correspond to the topics about which you have questions when you come to my office. I will assume that you have done this already. Your work with the text should include reading through the examples in the text, and possibly even working some of the problems from the section/chapter.

Class Preparation

Each day in class you should be ready to participate in class from the beginning of class. We will be interacting with material in ways that will benefit you far more if you are in class and awake. The structure of the course will be such that you will be asked at times to work in small groups to solve problems. For a small class like this, it will affect this process if people are not consistently in class to learn to work together. Also, there may be some times when a problem is assigned to be worked on between classes. You should be prepared to participate in class, as well. Some problems may be presented at the board, and I will expect that all students will take a turn in this process, and be able to show understanding and mastery of material in this setting as well as on quizzes and exams. Also, announcements in class are considered sufficient notice for any changes or due dates announced.

Quizzes

Periodically through the semester we will have a quiz on a certain section of material. Each of these quizzes will be given in class and will take 15-20 minutes depending on the material. You will be allowed to use your calculator for all quizzes. Quizzes will be graded and returned as quickly as possible so that you can get helpful feedback on how you are doing. Your quiz average will be worth 20% of your final grade.

Projects

There will be several applied projects during the course that you will be required to complete on your own. All work for your project will be typed up and turned in at the beginning of class on the assigned day. Each of these projects will be worth 20 points. Your average grade on the projects will be worth 20% of your final grade.

Exams

Three exams will be given this semester, none inherently comprehensive). For each exam we will spend some time in review and you will be clearly informed as to the material for which you are responsible. Each exam will be a timed in-class exam and graded out of 100 points. Exams will be worth 20% each, for a total of 60% of your final course grade.

Grading

Graded material will fall into the categories of quizzes, projects and exams. The total points earned will be divided by the total number of points available during the semester. This will be converted to a percentage, using the usual convention of rounding .5 and above up. The percentage will then be compared to the usual table (seen below) to find the appropriate letter grade.

• 93 - 100 = A
• 90 - 92 = A-
• 87 - 89 = B+
• 83 - 86 = B
• 80 - 82 = B-
• 77 - 79 = C+
• 73 - 76 = C
• 70 - 72 = C-
• 67 - 69 = D+
• 60 - 66 = D
• 0 - 59 = F

ADA Statement

Americans with Disabilities Act: Any student whose disability falls within ADA guidelines should inform the instructor at the beginning of the semester of any special accommodations or equipment needs necessary to complete the requirements for this course. Students must register documentation with the Office of Disability Services (Murray Library, Suite 115). If you have questions, call extension 7258. Note: It is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor at the beginning of the semester. The instructor will work with any student who needs accomodations as long as they are documented by the Office of Disability Services, and the instructor is informed at the beginning of the semester.

Harassment and Violence Statement

Messiah College prohibits all forms of discrimination and violence, including harassment, stalking, interpersonal violence, and sexual assault. If I learn of any potential violation of our harassment, stalking, sexual assault, and/or interpersonal violence policy by any means, I am required to notice the College. Students may request confidentiality from the institution, which I will communicate to the appropriate office or the Title IX Coordinator (Amanda Coffey). Confidential resources are available on or off campus:
Engle Center Counseling Services (x5357)
Engle Center Health Services (x6035)
Don Opitz, College Pastor (x6520)
YWCA Carlisle (1.888.727.2877)
YWCA Harrisburg (1.800.654.1211)
Confidential resources can walk students through all of their reporting options, including making a formal report to the Title IX Coordinator if and when they are ready. They can also provide students with information and assistance in accessing academic, medical, and other support services they may need. (© 2015, adapted from Victim Rights Law Center)

Academic Integrity

It is expected that you are familiar with the Academic Integrity policy of the College, found in the Student Handbook. In particular, you should be aware that any use or provision of unauthorized aids on exams or other graded material will not be tolerated. This means that it is not only a violation of the policy to obtain unauthorized aid, providing such aid to another student is also a violation of this policy. If an offense is suspected, the instructor will notify the student(s) involved by email. Students will have one week from the sending of this email to provide defense of their actions. If no defense is given, or it is found to be insufficient to the instructor, then penalties will be assessed. On the first offense, no credit will be granted for the assignment. Any further offense will result in a failing grade for the course. There will be no make-up work given to compensate for either penalty. In addition, the instructor may choose to decline signing a drop or withdrawal request if a student has violated this policy. Students should carefully read all assignments to determine what is allowed, and what is prohibited.