Units / ETC3430
ETC3430 · Financial mathematics under uncertainty
2026 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 3Department of Econometrics and Business Statistics
Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTCOverview
Financial Mathematics under uncertainty will cover the topics of Markov chain, Markov process, survival models, mortality estimation, graduation, censoring, mortality projection, and machine learning applications.
Offerings
| Campus | Teaching period | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Clayton | First semester | Teaching activities are on-campus (ON-CAMPUS) |
Assessment
The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.
| # | Assessment | Type | Weight | Hurdle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 - Project | Project | 40% | — |
| 2 | 2 - Examination | Examination | 60% | — |
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Requisites
Learning outcomes
- describe and classify stochastic processes including counting processes and understand state and time spaces and mixed processes
- define and apply the Markov Chain and Chapman-Kolmogorov equation; understand the stationary distribution, experience rating systems, time homo and inhomo-geneous Markov Chains and application of such as modelling tools
- define and apply a Markov process. Understand the poisson process as a counting process derive and solve Kolmogorov equations, understand and solve multiple state models including the HSD model, generalise to models where transition also depends on duration of stay in a state and describe how to model using such models
- explain concept of survival models, lifetime models, distribution and density functions for future lifetime, force of mortality, actuarial notation, life expectancy (complete and curtate) and the two-state model
- describe estimation procedures for lifetime distributions. Identify censoring by types and problems caused by censoring; understand and apply the Nelson-Aalen and Kaplan-Meier estimation procedures and the Cox proportional hazards model
- derive maximum likelihood estimators for transition intensities and functions for constant transition models
- estimate transition intensities dependent on age (exact or census); understand the principle of correspondence, calculate central and initial exposures, explain the concept of rate intervals, estimate initial and central mortality rates from census data and death data
- describe and carry out graduation of mortality data and understand and apply graduation tests
- describe approaches to forecasting mortality rates; discuss some of the more commonly used forecasting approaches including p-splines, time series modelling and APC models.
Workload
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities. You are expected to complete all pre-class activities prior to your scheduled class, and post-class activities should be completed after your scheduled class. Learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed, peer directed and online engagement activities.
| Activity | Duration |
|---|---|
| Tutorials | 12 hours |
| Workshops | 36 hours |
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