Bachelor of Arts in Actuarial Science

at St. Francis Xavier University Canada

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a burgeoning field undergoing rapid progress and development. Technological advances that rely on AI are numerous and include applications such as self-driving automobiles, medical diagnosis, computer-assisted translation tools, speech recognition, biometrics, entertainment, and a wide variety of classification and predictive technologies. AI is recognized as having immense social, technological, and ethical implications for society. The diploma will allow graduates to either begin or broaden their career in computing-related fields and provide them with a depth of knowledge in the highly sought-after field of AI. AI is an area that is in high demand, and graduates of this program will be prepared for entry into the workplace or into graduate programs.

Computer Science faculty at StFX are very active in research. Together, they provide an education in Computer Science that produces high-achievers who are well-suited for graduate studies or to develop a career in industry. StFX’s Computer Science program is the top ranked in Atlantic Canada in Maclean’s for the third year in a row. Computer Science research at StFX was tied for first place in Canada in field-specific research impact (Field-weighted citation impact, Maclean’s 2019). Students in the Artificial Intelligence Post-Baccalaureate Diploma will also join a vibrant department surrounded by like-minded undergraduate and graduate students.

The Program
The Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Artificial Intelligence is a two-year diploma program for students who already possess an undergraduate degree. The diploma is geared towards students whose undergraduate degree is not in Computer Science. The program is concentrated and rigorous, with at least half of the courses at the upper-year levels. Students will be introduced to a discipline that is new to them, build the basic knowledge quickly (within the first term), and then move to rigorous higher-level courses. Learning will be enriched by prior education and by the diverse backgrounds of their peers. As graduates of this program, they will bring this rich educational foundation to the workplace.

Post-Baccalaureate diplomas are attractive to students who want to do one or more of the following:

• Expand their knowledge into a discipline outside of their first degree.
• Change the direction of their first degree into new areas for career reasons.

The Entrepreneurship stream provides a unique opportunity to gain the entrepreneurial competencies needed to start, develop and/or manage a small business venture, to engage in social entrepreneurship, and to pursue a career that requires entrepreneurship or one that provides assistance to the small business sector. Considering that the majority of net new jobs are being created by firms with less than 100 employees (where entrepreneurship is usually a key success factor) and that individuals with entrepreneurial skills and competencies are among the most sought after by growth industries, there is no shortage of career opportunities. Even communities and not-for-profits that are taking responsibility for their own destiny still often need help in identifying and pursuing entrepreneurial initiatives, and that is where our graduates can help.

Entrepreneurship is an interdisciplinary business program to which almost all other streams in the Schwartz School of Business contribute. As a result, courses cover a range of topics related to entrepreneurship, including:

    • entrepreneurship and new venture creation
    • social entrepreneurship
    • entrepreneurial finance
    • marketing research
    • marketing management
    • small business management

Courses in topics ranging from management accounting to business ethics to project management may also contribute to earning a business degree in Entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurship students are persistent and determined, committed to seeing things through, and are never satisfied with the status quo. The Entrepreneurship stream will interest you if you thrive on taking responsibility, acting independently on your own initiative, finding creative solutions to problems and learning new things. You like to learn by becoming actively involved in the learning process, taking initiative, having opportunities to integrate and apply your knowledge, skills and abilities in a real-life context, and using creativity to solve problems and capitalize on opportunities. These opportunities are realized through an experiential and engaging learning environment that includes new venture start-ups, community-based projects, field trips and more.

Entrepreneurship students have several avenues to extend what they have learned into research, internships and society work. There are funding opportunities specifically aimed to assist student entrepreneurs, and faculty frequently supervise students in research and community engagement activities.

The International Business (IB) program is an interdisciplinary business program to which almost all other streams in the Schwartz School of Business contribute, collectively preparing future graduates with knowledge and skills needed to succeed in an international business environment. International business activities are providing significant opportunities for businesses of any size and industry that may export, import or have international operations. Prospective employers seeking candidates with a global perspective and awareness of international business responsibilities, combined with critical thinking, language and communications skills, will be welcoming graduates with a specialization in this field.

Courses cover a variety of topics related to international business, including:

    • globalization
    • international trade theory
    • global monetary system and financing
    • global business strategies
    • managing a global workforce
    • marketing internationally
    • international business ethics

Students in the IB courses will be exposed to engaging methods of instruction that include case analyses, presentations and guest lectures, simulated cross-cultural business meetings, multi-country analysis from an international business and cross-cultural perspective and more.

The program offers cross-cultural immersion experiences provided by StFX and our exchange partners. Students pursuing the advanced major or honours degree path are required to spend at least one term as an exchange student with one of our partner universities offering business courses. A complete list of exchange opportunities is available through the International Exchange office at StFX, linked here. The minimum one term exchange may be substituted by a minimum 3 month work placement with a company outside of Canada through the Co-op Program offered at StFX. In addition, students completing an advanced major or honours degree are required either to demonstrate that they are fluent in a second language or to take a 12 credit language pair. Students completing a major in IB do not need to complete either the exchange or the language requirement, yet are encouraged to consider both options.

Students who want to pursue a career in international business may want to consider earning the industry-recognized Certified International Trade Professional designation offered by FITT, the Forum for International Trade Training.

When you study Biology at StFX, you’ll work in the classroom, the field and the lab. You’ll delve into the science of living organisms to explore the world, and the influence humans have on the global environment.

The StFX campus is five minutes away from rivers, estuaries and other marine aquatic habitats, and we’re equally close to Nova Scotia’s boreal forest. This emphasis on field and lab work means you’ll gain valuable hands-on experience while developing your critical thinking skills.

Ultimately, studying Biology at StFX will give you an understanding of the structure and function of living things - from the cell to global ecological systems.

WHY STUDY BIOLOGY AT STFX?
Here, you’ll get a deep grounding in theory and then have the ability to grow your knowledge in the field. You’ll learn alongside dynamic professors who will encourage you to explore exciting, new perspectives in analyzing the fundamentals of biology.

Physics is an incredibly diverse field, from fundamental research to practical applications of the latest technology. What are the fundamental particles of matter? What happens when two black holes collide? How can quantum cryptography improve security on the internet? What new magnetic materials will be used in the next generation of computer storage? If you’re interested in this field, StFX Physics is for you.

WHY STUDY PHYSICS AT STFX?
You’ll learn in a department where faculty are dedicated to teaching and to their active research programs. Students receive a world-class degree in an environment where questions are welcomed, discussion encouraged, and opportunities presented to get involved in research projects, even after the first year. In the wider physics community, our students are authors on research publications and attend national and international physics conferences.

Students in the StFX English Department examine the human experience through a survey of literature that spans the ages. From the study of contemporary science fiction to the poetry of centuries past, you will develop well-rounded writing and analytical skills that have applications in countless career and post-graduate fields.

WHY STUDY ENGLISH AT STFX?
Professors get to know their students by name and offer the kind of mentoring and one-on-one assistance that will help you achieve your full potential. You will meet with professors to discuss assignments and exams, and are involved in literary activities that take place outside the classroom. From participation in conferences, to discussions with visiting writers and scholars, to literary publications and readings, faculty are actively involved in their students’ academic programs.

In Religious Studies, students analyze fundamental questions relating to the meaning of human existence. The program provides a strong basis for compassionate global citizenship and global cultural literacy. It interests students associated with a particular religious tradition, and those with no formal religious traditions.

WHY STUDY RELIGIOUS STUDIES AT STFX?
The StFX Religious Studies Department is growing and, in addition to traditional courses, offers you innovative studies covering topics that range from the paranormal to cults and new religious movements.

You learn from dedicated faculty who also work in the areas of ethics and religion and health, who have extensive knowledge in the study of mindfulness, and who bring a strong ability to work in primary languages and a series of modern languages.

Students have presented research papers at the Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities, and have opportunity to enroll in a one-of-a-kind course offered in cooperation with Gampo Abbey that includes one week residential study at this Buddhist monastery on Cape Breton Island.

The Concentration in Actuarial Science at StFX will put you well on your way to entering the Actuarial field. Actuaries must master financial, mathematical, and economic principles to provide organizations of all types with the confidence needed for future-planning. Actuaries use highly developed analytical skills to mitigate risk and identify opportunities. The insurance sector is the primary employer of actuaries, helping insurers manage premiums and payouts, but this program will also be of interest to students planning to work in areas such as investments and portfolio management, enterprise risk management, and senior management.

Program details

• If you are interested in completing the co-op option, you can apply to the program after your first year of university study.
• Co-op students complete 15 hours of professional development training that lays a foundation for co-op success
• Work terms take place in the fall (September to December), spring (January to April) or summer (May to August), can take place across Canada and last 13-17 weeks per semester.
• Students can gain 12-16 months of work experience, which can be completed in multiple stages or all at once.
• A great benefit of the Co-op program is that placements are paid work terms, allowing you to gain valuable work experience while earning money to help fund your studies.
• Finally, students complete our capstone course, COOP 405 (3 credits)

Marketers understand that customers do not buy products; they buy solutions and benefits. Marketers help their organizations understand customer perceptions of value and how to create, communicate and deliver that value better than the competition. Marketers do this in ways that contribute to society in general, not just to the bottom line.

Students choosing to study marketing at StFX have the opportunity to take foundational marketing courses including Consumer Behaviour, Marketing Management, Professional Sales and Marketing Research. They can also explore specific areas of marketing such as digital marketing and customer relationship management.  Complete course requirements are found here. Our courses aim to develop students’ knowledge and skills so they are ready for an exciting but complex world. Courses within the marketing stream engage students using a variety of pedagogical approaches including case analysis, simulations, presentations, research papers, and client-centred projects.

The marketing program also provides students with opportunities to participate in consulting projects and original research. Students pursuing an Advanced Major in Marketing work with a client organization to develop solutions to client-identified challenges and gain valuable skills and experience in the process.  Students interested in research can choose to pursue an Honours degree to work closely with a faculty supervisor on an individual research project in the field of marketing.

Students who study marketing are well positioned for careers in:

    • Entrepreneurship
    • Brand Management
    • Professional Sales
    • Market Research
    • Retail Management
    • Merchandising/Category Management
    • Advertising
    • Digital Marketing
    • Public Relations
    • Not-for-Profit Marketing

With increasing public interest in food and health, human nutrition is a dynamic field with new career opportunities emerging. StFX Human Nutrition students graduate with a strong scientific background in foods and nutrition, combined with social science perspectives, communication skills and understandings of ways to effect individual and social change.

WHY STUDY HUMAN NUTRITION AT STFX?
You will be well equipped to assist individuals, groups, and the population-at-large to achieve their food, nutrition, and health-related goals.

Under the guidance of talented faculty, you will learn through theory–based courses and experiential learning, such as lab and community-based assignments and Service Learning.