MGMT 474: Logistics Management - Fall 2015
Professor:
Office:
Phone:
Email:
Classroom:
Class Dates:
Office Hours:
Dr. Kevin Watson
317 College of Business Building
318-257-2112
KWatson@LaTech.edu
111 University Hall
Monday/Wednesday 2:00 to 3:50 p.m.
M/W/F 9:30 – 11:00; M/W 1:15 – 2:00; T 9:30 – 11:30, 1:00 – 3:00
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Concepts and strategies concerning the management of logistics; topics
include supply chain strategy, logistics information systems, order management and fulfillment
inventory, forecasting, transportation, materials handling, and facility network design.
PREREQUISITES: MGMT 333; you will not receive credit for enrollment in a course without the
designated prerequisite(s) and/or foundation courses.
GOAL: To acquaint students with the language, concepts and processes necessary to design, evaluate
and propose corrective actions to an organization’s physical distribution systems.
OBJECTIVES: This course is based on four material modules, each representing an important area in
Operations Management. Upon completion, the student should:
1. have a working framework from which they will be able to analyze and make decisions about a
firm’s logistics systems;
2. understand, at an individual and systemic level, how components of the logistics system fit
together in support of a firm’s strategy;
3. understand inventory costs and how inventory is managed to minimize total cost;
4. be able to think analytically about logistics situations, make recommendations, and communicate
those recommendations to others.
TEXT AND COURSE MATERIAL: This course requires the following materials:
 Contemporary Logistics Perspective, 11th Edition; Murphy and Knemeyer; ISBN 13: 978-0-13295346-7
o Students may choose to purchase a different version or edition of the text; however, the student
is responsible for any differences between the specified text and the one purchased
GRADE SCALE AND WEIGHT OF ASSIGNMENTS: The following performance evaluation system
will be used in this class. Extra credit will not be offered, exam grades will not be dropped, and students
should not expect a curve.
Grade
A
B
C
D
F
Required Average
90.00 – 100.00
80.00 – 89.99
70.00 – 79.99
60.00 – 69.99
0.00 – 59.99
Interpretation
Mastery of subject matter and ability to integrate and extend concepts.
Superior grasp of subject matter and some ability to integrate concepts.
Has knowledge of subject matter. Limited ability to integrate concepts.
Has minimal knowledge of subject matter.
Has not demonstrated coherent knowledge of subject matter.
Evaluation Component
Exam 1
Final Exam
Project
Homework
Total
Percent of Grade
30 %
35 %
20 %
15 %
100 %
ACADEMIC HONESTY: Students are expected to conduct themselves according to the principles of
academic integrity as defined by the Academic Honor Code. Any student or group found to have
committed an act of academic misconduct shall receive an F in this course and will have their case turned
over to the Honor Council for disciplinary action that may result in penalties as severe as expulsion from
the University. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, or
misrepresentation, and being an accessory to an act of academic dishonesty.
HOMEWORK POLICY: To assess student preparation, homework and/or other assignments may be
utilized. All homework assignments are individual, not group, assignments. By submitting an assignment,
you are verifying that you completed the assignment by yourself and that the work you are submitting is
yours and yours alone. Assignment specifics, including content and due dates will be announced in class
as the material is covered. Assignments are due at the start of class; I will not accept late assignments. If
you will not be in attendance on a date an assignment is due, you may submit it for credit electronically
as long as your email is posted prior to the start of class on the due date.
EXAM POLICY: Exams will contain multiple choice, true/false, essay, and/or quantitative questions.
Unless otherwise instructed, you may not use your book, notes, cell phone, nor may you discuss the exam
with other students or receive outside assistance. Exams require a pencil and a calculator. Make up exams
will be permitted only with prior notification due to an Official University Excuse, religious observance,
or extreme circumstance (with valid written excuse). Any missed exam will automatically be awarded an
exam grade of zero (0). Exams will mimic APICS certification exams as closely as possible.
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: It is University policy to provide,
on a flexible and individualized basis, reasonable accommodations to students who have disabilities that
may affect their ability to participate in course activities or to meet course requirements. Students with
disabilities should contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS – 318 Wyly Tower) to discuss their
individual needs for accommodations. ODS staff will verify your eligibility and determine the
accommodation you are entitled to receive. No retroactive accommodations will be provided in this class.
ATTENDANCE: Punctuality, attendance and participation are expected. Attendance and participation
have historically been highly correlated with student performance. Students with excessive absences
(>15%) may receive a reduction in their final letter grade. Attendance is taken at the start of each class.
EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM (ENS): Students are encouraged to enroll and keep their
contact information updated in the Emergency Notification System. ENS provides text and/or voice
alerts in the event of a campus emergency.
PROJECT and PEER REVIEW: This class is intended to provide the student with a sound foundation
in logistics and distribution management concepts and techniques. However, equally important to this
foundation is a discussion and exchange of ideas, between the students and instructor and among students,
with regard to contemporary topics within the field of operations management. To facilitate these
exchanges, students will be assigned a topic and to a group that shall research, analyze, and lead
discussion. Grading of the project will consider three elements: report, presentation, and peer review. The
report will be graded for content, structure, clarity, and grammar. The presentation will be graded on the
basis of content, style, and clarity. The peer review portion will allow students to evaluate themselves and
others in the group based on the level of participation and quality of contribution to the project.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE TERMS OF THIS CLASS: By your continued enrollment in this class, you are
acknowledging that you understand the policies of this class as discussed in this syllabus.
This syllabus and the accompanying tentative schedule are subject to change to reflect class
progress; all dates and assignments are subject to change upon proper notification.
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS: The following is a list of professional organizations
associated with Supply Chain Management.



APICS - The Association for Operations Management: APICS provides educational, professional
development, and networking opportunities for supply chain and operations professionals. APICS offers
two certifications, Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) and Certified Supply
Chain Professional (CSCP). These are useful for advancing your career and look excellent on your
resume. Local APICS chapters hold monthly meetings, a good way to network, gain access to placement
services and expand your knowledge about supply chain management. Student memberships are $25 a
year. Check it out at www.apics.org.
Institute for Supply Management (ISM): This organization traditionally focused on purchasing and
supply management, though they are moving toward a supply chain orientation. They currently offer two
certifications, Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M) and Certified Professional in Supply Management
(CPSM). If you are a full-time student, membership is free. Check it out at www.ism.ws.
Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP): CSCMP provides educational, career
development, and networking opportunities to its members. This group has traditionally been focused on
logistics. Student memberships are $25 per year. Check it out at cscmp.org.
The written report will be graded according to the following evaluation guidelines:
Evaluation
A
Content
Offered clear, reasonable, well-argued recommendations
to the problems that were specifically mentioned in the
case. Offered good, well-reasoned ideas on other issues
that may come to bear on the case situation as well, even
though these issues may not have been explicitly
mentioned in the case description.
Style
Professionalism (layout, grammar and
overall look) of write-up is extremely
high. Would be acceptable as-is at most
consulting firms.
B
Offered good, but not spectacular, recommendations.
Perhaps could have argued your case better. Possibly
discussed issues that were not specifically mentioned in
the case, but the issues were not of great importance, or
were not integrated clearly into your argument.
A few slip-ups.
C
Answered the questions posed adequately. Little to no
discussion of issues that were not explicitly mentioned
in the case. Arguments were not completely thought out.
Professionalism of writing is
dangerously close to minimum of what
most businesses would require.
D
Talked about the case, but didn’t answer the questions it
posed. Clear holes in plan or recommendations.
Very noticeable problems in grammar,
wording or overall professionalism.
F
Did not clearly address the questions that were asked.
Spent more time on topics of little relevance to the case.
Wrote in crayon. Lots of spelling and
grammar mistakes that display a lack of
professionalism.
Note: Written assignments that fall in between these criteria will be given the appropriate evaluation (i.e., + and – grades
will be used).
The presentation will be graded according to the following evaluation guidelines:
Evaluation
A
B
Interpretation
Outstanding
presentation. The
presenters were
extremely well prepared
and it showed.
Very good presentation.
The presenters were well
prepared.
C
Acceptable presentation.
The presenters carried
out the task.
D
Would not be acceptable
by professional firms.
F
Content
The ideas presented
were innovative and
arguments were tight.
Ideas proposed were
very good, though
arguments could have
been stronger.
Solid ideas, though not
spectacular.
Presented some ideas
relevant to the issue at
hand, but didn’t connect
them very well.
Little to no useful
information presented.
Style
The materials used (overheads, handouts,
etc.) were clear, professional looking and
effective in communicating the presenters'
points. Presenters did an excellent job of
grabbing and keeping audience's attention.
The materials used were effective, but
maybe not flashy. Effective job of
maintaining audience’s attention.
The materials used were at a minimum of
acceptability for a business presentation.
Did only an adequate job of holding
audience's attention.
Overheads were minimally readable. Not
much thought given to maintaining
audience's attention.
Terrible. Presenters were
Typographical errors in materials used.
unprepared and
unprofessional.
Note: Presentations that fall in between these criteria will be given the appropriate evaluation (i.e., + and – grades will be
used).
Tentative Schedule
DATE
14 Sept –
16 Sept
TOPICS
Introduction to Supply Chain Management
Review – MRP to DRP
Supply Chain Management
24 Sept
28 Sept –
5 Oct
Ch 1 & 2
TBA – Don’t be late
21 Sept
23 Sept
READINGS
Ch 4 & 5
Career Fair
Supply Chain Measurement
Demand Management
7 Oct
Ch 3
Ch 7
EXAM #1
12 Oct –
19 Oct
Inventory Management
21 Oct –
26 Oct
Transportation Management
28 Oct –
4 Nov
Facility Location
Warehouse Management
Ch 9
Ch 10
Material Handling
Ch 11
9 Nov
Ch 7
Ch 12, 13, 14
11 Nov
Project Presentations
16 Nov
Final Exam
18 Nov
TBA