General Information
The aim of the Actuarial Control Cycle 1 and 2 is to provide students with an understanding of how the underlying actuarial principles can be applied to a range of real-world problems and issues in commercial and business environments. Applications will include various insurance practice areas and wider fields. Examples will be drawn from traditional and non-traditional areas to illustrate and establish the underlying actuarial principles in a problem-based learning approach, using case studies and business-based examples to cover contemporary issues. This subject, Actuarial Control Cycle 1, introduces the concept of the Actuarial Control Cycle and uses it as a framework to analyse the impact of issues such as legislative changes and technological changes on the firm.
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Details
Academic unit: Bond Business School Subject code: ACSC71-400 Subject title: Actuarial Control Cycle 1 Subject level: Postgraduate Semester/Year: January 2025 Credit points: 10.000 -
Delivery & attendance
Timetable: https://bond.edu.au/timetable Delivery mode: Standard Workload items: - Seminar: x12 (Total hours: 24) - Seminar 2
- Seminar: x12 (Total hours: 24) - Seminar 1
- Personal Study Hours: x12 (Total hours: 72) - Recommended study time & reviewing materials
Attendance and learning activities: Attendance at all class sessions is expected. Students are expected to notify the instructor of any absences with as much advance notice as possible. +++++ BBS uses a self and peer-evaluation system to support students engaged in group-based assessments. Students are expected to provide this feedback in a timely fashion as part of their assessment. The information gathered is used by the educator as partial evidence of equitable contributions by all group members and helps to determine individual marks for group assessments. -
Resources
Prescribed resources: Books
- The Institute of Actuaries Australia (2010). Understanding Actuarial Management: the Actuarial Control Cycle. 2nd,
iLearn@Bond & Email: iLearn@Bond is the Learning Management System at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, class recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment, and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications.
Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student.
To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au
| Academic unit: | Bond Business School |
|---|---|
| Subject code: | ACSC71-400 |
| Subject title: | Actuarial Control Cycle 1 |
| Subject level: | Postgraduate |
| Semester/Year: | January 2025 |
| Credit points: | 10.000 |
| Timetable: | https://bond.edu.au/timetable |
|---|---|
| Delivery mode: | Standard |
| Workload items: |
|
| Attendance and learning activities: | Attendance at all class sessions is expected. Students are expected to notify the instructor of any absences with as much advance notice as possible. +++++ BBS uses a self and peer-evaluation system to support students engaged in group-based assessments. Students are expected to provide this feedback in a timely fashion as part of their assessment. The information gathered is used by the educator as partial evidence of equitable contributions by all group members and helps to determine individual marks for group assessments. |
| Prescribed resources: | Books
|
|---|---|
| iLearn@Bond & Email: | iLearn@Bond is the Learning Management System at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, class recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment, and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications. Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student. To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au |
Enrolment requirements
| Requisites: |
Pre-requisites:Co-requisites:There are no co-requisites |
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| Assumed knowledge: |
Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge.
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| Restrictions: |
Nil |
Assurance of learning
Assurance of Learning means that universities take responsibility for creating, monitoring and updating curriculum, teaching and assessment so that students graduate with the knowledge, skills and attributes they need for employability and/or further study.
At Bond University, we carefully develop subject and program outcomes to ensure that student learning in each subject contributes to the whole student experience. Students are encouraged to carefully read and consider subject and program outcomes as combined elements.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Program Learning Outcomes provide a broad and measurable set of standards that incorporate a range of knowledge and skills that will be achieved on completion of the program. If you are undertaking this subject as part of a degree program, you should refer to the relevant degree program outcomes and graduate attributes as they relate to this subject.
Subject Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject the learner will be able to:
- Apply the Actuarial Control Cycle in a variety of practical commercial situations, including but not limited to insurance.
- Analyse the major elements of the external environment (e.g., physical, political, legislative, social, economic, demographic and technological) in making medium- and long-term business decisions.
- Critically evaluate the positive and negative impacts of regulations and government policies on commercial decisions.
- Identify the principles of professionalism, recognise the issue of conflict of interests, and the code of professional conduct expected of actuaries.
- Identify key features of the financial services market, including risks, distribution channels of various financial products and customer needs.
- Explain the role of enterprise risk management in a company.
- Apply a risk assessment framework to identify, assess, evaluate and design a risk management plan for commercial situations.
Generative Artificial Intelligence in Assessment
The University acknowledges that Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) tools are an important facet of contemporary life. Their use in assessment is considered in line with students’ development of the skills and knowledge which demonstrate learning outcomes and underpin study and career success. Instructions on the use of Gen-AI are given for each assessment task; it is your responsibility to adhere to these instructions.
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Assessment details
Type Task % Timing* Outcomes assessed Computer-Aided Examination (Open) Comprehensive Final Examination - Open book 50.00% Final Examination Period 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 Essay 2 questions on topics covered in the first 5 weeks of the semester. 20.00% Week 6 1,2,3,4,5 Computer-aided Test (Open) 3 questions on topics covered in the first 4 weeks 20.00% Week 7 1,2,3,4 Essay EXCEL spreadsheet + Essay One question on constructing a model office 10.00% Week 10 7 - * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
- C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.
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Assessment criteria
Assessment criteria
High Distinction 85-100 Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking. Distinction 75-84 Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas. Credit 65-74 Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above. Pass 50-64 Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment. Fail 0-49 Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines. Quality assurance
For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.
| Type | Task | % | Timing* | Outcomes assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer-Aided Examination (Open) | Comprehensive Final Examination - Open book | 50.00% | Final Examination Period | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 |
| Essay | 2 questions on topics covered in the first 5 weeks of the semester. | 20.00% | Week 6 | 1,2,3,4,5 |
| Computer-aided Test (Open) | 3 questions on topics covered in the first 4 weeks | 20.00% | Week 7 | 1,2,3,4 |
| Essay | EXCEL spreadsheet + Essay One question on constructing a model office | 10.00% | Week 10 | 7 |
- * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
- C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.
Assessment criteria
| High Distinction | 85-100 | Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking. |
|---|---|---|
| Distinction | 75-84 | Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas. |
| Credit | 65-74 | Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above. |
| Pass | 50-64 | Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment. |
| Fail | 0-49 | Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines. |
Quality assurance
For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.
Study Information
Submission procedures
Students must check the iLearn@Bond subject site for detailed assessment information and submission procedures.
Policy on late submission and extensions
A late penalty will be applied to all overdue assessment tasks unless the Lead Educator grants an extension. The standard penalty will be 10% of marks awarded to that assessment per day late with no assessment to be accepted seven days after the due date. Where a student is granted an extension, the penalty of 10% per day late starts from the new due date.
Academic Integrity
Bond University‘s Student Code of Conduct Policy , Student Charter, Academic Integrity Policy and our Graduate Attributes guide expectations regarding student behaviour, their rights and responsibilities. Information on these topics can be found on our Academic Integrity webpage recognising that academic integrity involves demonstrating the principles of integrity (honesty, fairness, trust, professionalism, courage, responsibility, and respect) in words and actions across all aspects of academic endeavour.
Staff are required to report suspected misconduct. This includes all types of plagiarism, cheating, collusion, fabrication or falsification of data/content or other misconduct relating to assessment such as the falsification of medical certificates for assessment extensions. The longer term personal, social and financial consequences of misconduct can be severe, so please ask for help if you are unsure.
If your work is subject to an inquiry, you will be given an opportunity to respond and appropriate support will be provided. Academic work under inquiry will not be marked until the process has concluded. Penalties for misconduct include a warning, reduced grade, a requirement to repeat the assessment, suspension or expulsion from the University.
Feedback on assessment
Feedback on assessment will be provided to students according to the requirements of the Assessment Procedure Schedule A - Assessment Communication Procedure.
Whilst in most cases feedback should be provided within two weeks of the assessment submission due date, the Procedure should be checked if the assessment is linked to others or if the subject is a non-standard (e.g., intensive) subject.
Accessibility and Inclusion Support
Support is available to students where a physical, mental or neurological condition exists that would impact the student’s capacity to complete studies, exams or assessment tasks. For effective support, special requirement needs should be arranged with the University in advance of or at the start of each semester, or, for acute conditions, as soon as practicable after the condition arises. Reasonable adjustments are not guaranteed where applications are submitted late in the semester (for example, when lodged just prior to critical assessment and examination dates).
As outlined in the Accessibility and Inclusion Policy, to qualify for support, students must meet certain criteria. Students are also required to meet with the Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor who will ensure that reasonable adjustments are afforded to qualifying students.
For more information and to apply online, visit BondAbility.
Additional subject information
The Actuarial Control Cycle forms a bridge between Part I, where students learn specific technical skills in a well-defined environment, and Part III, where students are taught to apply these skills in less well-defined business and commercial environments. There are two options for gaining an exemption for Parts IIA and IIB. Option 1 requires a minimum mark of 65% in each of three subjects (i.e., ACSC71-400 Actuarial Control Cycle 1, ACSC71-401 Actuarial Control Cycle 2 and ACSC71-402 Investments and Asset Modelling) AND a 75% average mark across all three of these subjects. Option 2 requires a minimum mark of 65% in each of the two subjects (i.e., ACSC71-400 Actuarial Control Cycle 1, and ACSC71-401 Actuarial Control Cycle 2), AND a 75% average mark across both of these subjects AND Pass the Actuarial Institute’s Investment Bridging course. As part of the requirements for Business School quality accreditation, the Bond Business School employs an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.
Subject curriculum
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Introduction to Actuarial Control Cycle
Introduces the Actuarial Control Cycle and explores its application to a variety of practical commercial situations.
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Understanding the Environment
Considers how elements of the external business environment such as physical, political, legislative, social, economic, demographic and technological changes impact on medium- and long-term business decisions.
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Understanding the Regulations and Legislation
Critically explores the need for specific government regulations and public policy and the potential impact on commercial decisions.
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Code of Professional Conduct
Examines the principles of professionalism in the field of actuarial science, the expected behaviour of professional actuaries and managing conflicts of interests.
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The Financial Market
Provides an overview of the financial services market, including features, risks, distribution channels of various financial products and the customer needs served by this market.
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Enterprise Risk Management
Introduces the concept of enterprise risk management and its role in the management of a company. Particular emphasis will be on applying a risk assessment framework to identify, assess, evaluate and design a risk management plan to suit various commercial situations.
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Product Development
To describe the process to develop any specific insurance products.
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Modelling
To use the various criteria to choose a model to suit the purpose, subject to business and data constraints.