Mathematics majors thinking of a career in the business world have a somewhat unique opportunity to do so as professional actuaries. While not all actuaries were mathematics majors in college, almost all of them took course work that would have qualified them for a degree in the mathematical sciences.

For more detailed information about the requirements and careers in Actuarial Science, visit the website of the Society of Actuaries (SOA), or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) . The informative website at BeAnActuary.org is also highly recommended to both graduate and undergraduate students who wish to learn more about this profession.

At Oregon State University actuarial science studies are centered in the Department of Mathematics. Undergraduate students may earn a minor in actuarial mathematics, see Minors in Mathematics for a suggested program of study. Graduate students may select a problem area from actuarial science as a thesis research topic for either the MS or PhD degree. Send inquiries to ActuarialInfo@math.oregonstate.edu.

An Actuarial Science Award was initiated in 1984 through donations by members of the Portland Actuarial Club to support undergraduate and graduate students who are successful in the completion of a professional examination of the Society of Actuaries. This fund has grown through continued donations to include modest support of research activities in actuarial science and financial mathematics. The student awards and recognition are made annually at the public Lonseth Lecture during the spring term of each academic year. Students who have successfully passed an SOA or CAS examination are encouraged to inform the office manager in the Department of Mathematics.