Abstract:

The educational system at the Slovak universities gives students a general theoretical basis in the bachelor's study programs and courses. Basic knowledge of higher mathematics students obtain by passing compulsory subjects Mathematics IA and Mathematics IB, in the 1st year of bachelor's degree. These subjects provide a basic course of higher mathematics with examples of applications in economics. Practical and specialized knowledge students obtain in the optional study subject Basics of Financial and Insurance Mathematics, in the 3rd year of bachelor's degree.

In this context the main objective of this paper is the analysis of students’ competences of the financial mathematics taught within the mentioned optional course at the Faculty of Economics and Management, the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra. We will evaluate the results of exams of the subject Basics of Financial and Insurance Mathematics in comparison with the content of the obligatory courses of mathematics.

By statistical methods we will verify the hypotheses if the data dependence exists between the results of compulsory math subject and optional math subject. Based on results we will discuss the abilities of students to use the apparatus of mathematics and financial mathematics which is an important prerequisite for their professional increase.

Keywords:

Mathematics education, financial mathematics, study outcomes, statistical hypothesis testing.