For Bachelors who have not graduated from the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics, Faculty of Physics, Faculty of Economics at Sofia University, University of national and World Economy, Technical University or similar faculties / universities.
Focus, educational goals
The programme is designed for candidates motivated to study Probabilities and Statistics for data analysis, modelling, and forecasting, and offers relevant training for their realization as statisticians, actuaries, data analysts in diverse areas of public practice. Bachelors who have not graduated from the FMI or related faculties may apply for the program. Their curriculum will be supplemented with the following disciplines: Probability Theory and Mathematical Statistics, Random Processes, Applied Statistics and Introduction to Actuarial Practice. If necessary, the curriculum of the accepted masters may be supplemented by other disciplines. Admission to the program is done through an interview on the following topics:
- Basic concepts in probability theory, probabilistic space, random variables. Distribution function, moments;
- Independence. Conditional probability spaces. Multi-dimensional distributions;
- Laws on big numbers. Central boundary theorem;
- Markov chains;
- Evaluation of distribution parameters. Point and interval estimates. Properties;
- Checking statistical hypotheses. Leim of Neumann - Pirson. Power;
- Simple linear regression.
The aim of the programme is a thorough study of probabilistic and statistical methods and their modern applications, combined with the use of modern computer technologies and a wide range of statistical software. The program prepares experts in the field of "462 Statistics" according to the Classification of Education and Training Areas (COO - 2008) of the National Institute of Stasictics, able to conduct advanced statistical surveys and research in a number of fields such as insurance, financial markets, marketing, medicine, biology, pharmacy, etc. in order to create high-tech products. The programme is the only one accredited by the National Evaluation and Accretitation Agency, which prepares potential workers for scientific and academic careers in the areas of Probability and Statistics and their applications at a Master level with prospects for postgraduate studies in the same specialization.
Training (knowledge and skills)
The training in the programme is characterized by the use of mathematical means at a level comparable to that of the conventional scholarship programs. Successful graduates will be able to analyze, model, explore and optimize specific phenomena and processes, taking into account their accidental nature, and to create and offer entirely functional and market-oriented solutions. The combination of acquired knowledge and skills allows graduate students to occupy prestigious jobs in manufacturing and academic organizations both in Bulgaria and abroad. According to their interests students can focus either on theoretically or practically oriented specialization. Practically oriented specialization achieves skills for applying the modern statistical programs, allowing modelling, exploring and optimizing specific phenomena and processes of random nature. There is a wide range and flexibility of the material on focus, thus the programme has been expanded to biologists, sociologists, demographers, economists, philosophers, philologists and other kinds of specialists whose statistical skills and culture become an inevitable part of their future professional realization. An important priority of training in the program is the courses that are part of the preparation and qualification of future actuaries and financial analysts. Those graduates can find their realization in: banks and business organizations; insurance companies and companies; the state administration; organizations and companies offering financial management and investment consulting services.
Professional competence
The professional competencies of the graduates are related to forming a new generation of probability and statistic specialists capable of modelling, exploring and optimizing specific phenomena and processes in which random elements are displayed and creating fully functional and market-oriented solutions.
The program reveals a variety of career opportunities, one of which is the actuarial profession. Actuaries analyze, design and manage a wide range of casual effects and financial risks; offer practical solutions to problems related to the consequences of future random events. Actuaries, through their expertise and expert judgment, manage the risks associated with life insurance, health insurance, property insurance, pension insurance and reinsurance. The program provides preliminary training and focus on the basic education of actuaries (Modules I and II of the education program of the Bulgarian Actuarial Association (BAA)), with the ultimate goal of obtaining a BAA diploma, a full member of the International Actuarial Association.
Professional realization
The qualifications of a statistician provide the necessary knowledge and skills for an interesting and challenging career. There is an increasing demand for qualified statisticians, data analysts with education, including Statistics, Mathematics and Informatics. Some examples of professional realization are: forecasting trends in the economy and the market; market studies of consumer behavior and preferences; actuarial valuations and financial analysis; collecting and analyzing data to support government policy decisions and the state administration; teaching in schools and universities; planning and analysis of clinical studies, screening of new medical drugs, study of causes, prevalence and disease effects; process management, product reliability and production experiment; consultancy in the field of agriculture, ecology, forestry and industry.