Logistics and Supply Chain Management

300 | 400 |

(Administered by the Department of Logistics, Operations, and Management Information Systems)

Richard F. Poist Jr., Chair of Department
Distinguished Professors: Allen
Distinguished Professors (Emeritus): Baumel
Professors: Crum, Poist, Premkumar, Walter
Associate Professors: Hendrickson, Johnson, Lummus, Mennecke, Nilakanta, Ruben, Suzuki, Townsend, Zhu
Assistant Professors: Hackbarth, Jeffers, Montabon, Scheibe, Tiwana
Instructors (Adjunct): Blanshan, Choobineh
Lecturers: Clayton, Tandradinata

Undergraduate Study

For the undergraduate curriculum in business, major in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, see College of Business, Curricula.

Logistics and Supply Chain Management is a program of study concerned with the efficient flow of materials, products, and information within and among organizations. Logistics management entails a wide variety of activities that have a significant influence on customer service, including inventory control, transportation, warehousing, facility location analysis, packaging, materials handling, parts and service support, and product returns. Supply chain management involves the integration of business processes across organizations, from material sources and suppliers through manufacturing and processing to the final customer. Logistics management is, thus, taught in the context and framework on inter-organizational supply chain systems.

The study of Logistics and Supply Chain Management prepares students for professional careers with shippers (e.g., manufacturers and distributors), transportation carriers, and logistics service providers. The curriculum provides the required theoretical/conceptual base and analytical methods for making sound operational and strategic business decisions.

The requirements for the Logistics and Supply Chain Management major are met by completion of the following courses: LSCM 460, 461, 485, 486, 487, plus one elective from an approved list.

The department also offers a minor for non-Logistics and Supply Chain Management majors in the College of Business. The minor requires 15 credits from an approved list of courses, of which 9 credits must stand alone. Students with declared majors have priority over students with declared minors in courses with space constraints.

Graduate Study

The Department of Logistics, Operations, and Management Information Systems participates in two graduate degree programs: the M.S. in Business and the M.B.A. full-time day and part-time weekend programs. The M.S. degree in Business is a 30-credit curriculum culminating in a thesis. The M.B.A. program is a 48-credit, nonthesis, noncreative component curriculum. Twenty-four of the 48 credit hours are core courses and the remaining 24 are graduate electives. The department also participates in the interdepartmental transportation major.

Courses open for nonmajor graduate credit: 460, 461, 462, 466, 469, 485, 486, and 487.

Courses primarily for undergraduate students

LSCM 360. Business Logistics. (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: Econ 101. Introduction and analysis of the logistics concept to include the management of transportation, inventory, packaging, warehousing, materials handling, order processing, facility location, and customer service.

LSCM 460. Decision Tools for Logistics and Operations Management. (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: LSCM 360, OSCM 320. Technical tools and skills required for problem solving and decision making in logistics and operations management. Transportation and network planning, inventory decision making, facility location planning, vehicle routing, scheduling, and production planning. Quantitative tools include linear and integer programming, non-linear programming, and simulation.Emphasis on the use of PC- based spreadsheet programs. Nonmajor graduate credit.

LSCM 461. Principles of Transportation. (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: LSCM 360. Economic, operating, and service characteristics of the various modes of transportation, with a special emphasis on freight transportation. Factors that influence transport demand, costs, market structures, carrier pricing, and carrier operating and service characteristics and their influence on other supply chain costs and supply chain performance. Nonmajor graduate credit.

LSCM 462. Transportation Carrier Management. (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in LSCM 461. Analysis of transport users' requirements. Carrier management problems involving ownership and mergers, routes, competition, labor, and other decision areas. Nonmajor graduate credit.

LSCM 466. International Transportation and Logistics. (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: LSCM 360. Logistics systems and legal framework for the international movement of goods. Operational characteristics of providers of exporting and importing services. The effects of government trade policies on global logistics. Nonmajor graduate credit.

LSCM 469. Transportation and Logistics Issues. (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: LSCM 460, 461. An integrative course designed to study contemporary problems and issues in transportation and logistics. Nonmajor graduate credit.

LSCM 485. Demand Planning and Management. (Same as OSCM 485.) (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: LSCM 360, OSCM 320. Demand planning process which synchronizes demand with manufacturing and distribution. Addresses linking business plans and demand forecasts both horizontally and vertically within the organization and collaboratively among supply chain partners. Forecasting, customer relationship management, sales and operations planning, customer service, distribution channels, e- fulfillment, and information systems requirements. Nonmajor graduate credit.

LSCM 486. Principles of Purchasing and Supply Management. (Same as OSCM 486.) (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: LSCM 360, OSCM 320. Sourcing strategies, concepts, tools and dynamics in the context of the integrated supply chain. Make or buy decision, supplier evaluation and selection, global sourcing, the total cost of ownership, contracts and legal terms, negotiation, purchasing ethics, and information systems requirements. Nonmajor graduate credit.

LSCM 487. Strategic Supply Chain Management. (Same as OSCM 487.) (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: LSCM 485 and 486; OSCM 422 or LSCM 460. Capstone course in supply chain management. Integrating and applying the theories, concepts, and methods covered in the Prerequisite courses through the use of readings, case studies, projects, and industry speakers. Nonmajor graduate credit.

LSCM 490. Independent Study. Cr. 1-3 each time taken. Prereq: LSCM 360, senior classification, permission of instructor.

Courses primarily for graduate students

The department offers graduate courses that lead to an MBA specialization in Supply Chain Management. These courses include SCM 502, 520, 522, 560, 561, 563, 585, and 590. For descriptions of these courses, see Operations and Supply Chain Management.