To give an introduction to the supply chain program, we are publishing a series on the classes in the junior core: purchasing, quality management, operations, and logistics. This series will give information on the classes and the experiences that the students have while in the junior core. If you have questions on any of the topics presented, please reach out to any junior or senior in the program.
Class: Supply Chain Logistics (GSCM 404)
Writer: Olivia Smith
The nice thing about this course is that Professor Webb will teach you the material that you need to know in order to succeed in the class. You are not expected to know anything about logistics before taking the course. I came into this class without knowing anything on the subject and I feel confident in my understanding of the basics now. That being said, if you’re nervous about the class, here are a couple of things that might be helpful to know–and what you can do now to prepare.
Logistics management essentially is managing how to transport a product from a supplier to customer. There are a handful of ways to accomplish that. You can send it on a train, you can fly it, you can truck it cross country, etc. During the class, you will learn about all of the modes of transportation and their pros and cons. The class also touches on inventory management. For instance, is it better to have more distribution centers with higher inventory costs in order to get transportation costs down, or vice versa? Additionally, throughout the semester you will present on various topics and business problems, so it’s helpful to learn how to present confidently, how to use PowerPoint, and how to do the basics in Excel. Beyond that, feel free to talk to Professor Webb or the TAs throughout the semester. We are happy to help! (In fact, that is literally our job.)