OPSMGT 371 : Business Logistics

Business and Economics

2021 Semester Two (1215) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Focuses on coordinating logistics across supply chains. Topic coverage features modelling using spreadsheets and includes transportation, forecasting, and inventory control models suitable for use in a distribution and supply chain context.

Course Overview

The main objective of the course is to introduce principles of efficient business logistics --- which mainly concerns efficient flow of goods in supply chains. In this course we will particularly focus on effective management of transportation, inventory (stocks) and production planning for optimizing logistic operations. For this we will develop two skills, namely: (1) formulating logistic problems as mathematical models, i.e., to translate problems into their mathematical form starting from the problem statement and (2) familiarising ourselves with the tools (algorithms, analysis and/or spreadsheet solvers) for solving these problems. 

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: OPSMGT 255 or STATS 255 or ENGSCI 255

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Commerce

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Identify the relevant objectives that can be achieved via logistics planning, like cost minimisation, travel distance minimisation, service level fulfilment, timely production. (Capability 1)
  2. Justify the appropriate tools for solving logistical problems (Capability 1 and 2)
  3. Formulate logistic problems as mathematical models and solve these models most commonly used for making optimal decisions in logistics and supply chain management (Capability 1 and 3)
  4. Demonstrate creative thinking and analytical capabilities to solve typical supply chain problems (Capability 1, 4.2 and 5.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Mid-term test 30% Individual Test
Assignment 1 15% Individual Coursework
Assignment 2 15% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 40% Individual Examination
Laboratories 0% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Mid-term test
Assignment 1
Assignment 2
Final Exam
Laboratories

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 2 hours of lectures, a 2 hour tutorial, 2 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 4 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including labs/tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials/labs will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events including [group discussions/tutorials].
Attendance on campus is required for the [test/exam].
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Recommended books
1. Designing and Managing the Supply Chain, 2nd edition, Simchi-levi, Kaminsky and Simchi-Leiv, McGraw Hill.
2. The Logic of Logistics: Theory, Algorithms, and Applications for Logistics and Supply Chain Management (Springer Series in Operations Research and Financial Engineering) 2nd Edition, David Simchi-Levi, Xin Chen, Julien Bramel

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 29/11/2020 02:42 p.m.