Master of Science in Logistics and Transport Management

Programme Syllabus for Master of Science in Logistics and Transport Management 120 higher education credits Second Cycle Established by the Faculty Board of the School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, on November 14, 2006, last revised on April 28, 2011. Graduate School School of Business, Economics and Law at University of Gothenburg Vasagatan 1, PO Box 695, SE 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden +46 31 786 0000, +46 31 786 5339 (fax) www.handels.gu.se study.info@gs.gu.se

2 / 9 1. Decision and Guidelines The study programme for the Master of Science in Logistics and Transport Management, 120 higher education credits, hec, (equals 120 ECTS credits), was established by the Faculty Board of the School of Business, Economics and Law, on November 14, 2006 and last revised on April 28, 2011. The programme syllabus applies as from autumn term of 2011. 2. General Objectives Second cycle education shall according to the Swedish Higher Education Act (HEA) build on knowledge that students acquire in first cycle education or corresponding knowledge (see Appendix 1, HEA, ch. 1:9) The general objectives for a Master (120 credits) are stated in Appendix 2, the Higher Education Ordinance (see Appendix 1). 3. Programme Specific Objectives (learning outcomes) The Logistics and Transport Management Programme shall, in addition to the education at the basic level that is defined by the entrance requirements for the programme: Further develop the students ability to independently assess, integrate and use knowledge in the logistics and transport field. Develop the students ability to, with a knowledge based approach, handle complex phenomena, problems and situations. Develop the students opportunities for both a career in the logistics- and transport field, which calls for independent thinking, and for R & D work. After successfully completing the programme the student should have developed advanced and relevant knowledge making her/him prepared for leading management and analyst positions that focus on processes, systems, and organisations in the flow and storage of goods, services and related information in the supply chain from the point of origin to the point of consumption. These positions as manager or analyst are found in the logistics function of manufacturers and distributors of all kinds as well as in transport companies and logistics service providers. Public organisations involved in the regulation and planning of transport, logistics, and infrastructure service provision at the regional, national, and international level also represent a labour market for the programme.

3 / 9 4. Organisation All Graduate School programmes are managed by the Dean of the Graduate School while the operational responsibility rests with the Director of Studies. Each Graduate School programme has a programme coordinator and an advisory programme committee responsible for programme and course content. 5. Programme Disposition and Content Year 1 Entrance A: Students with less than 30 hec in logistics and transport related courses B: Students with more than 30 hec in logistics and transport related courses, corresponding to the courses in A Autumn Term, Periods 1 and 2 Autumn Term Period 1 GM0501 Integrated Logistics Elective GM0502 Transportation Elective Autumn Term Period 2 GM0517 Supply Chain Management GM0518 Operations Management GM0515 Logistics Systems Simulation GM0614 Multivariate Data Analysis After periods 1 and 2, either of the tracks below may be chosen Logistics track Freight Transport track General track Spring Term Period 3 GM0507 Retailing, Wholesaling and Logistics GM0516 Intermodal Freight Transport Spring Term Period 4 GM0511 International Trade and Logistics, 7.5 hec GM0509 The Shipping Industry - Maritime Policy, Freight Markets and Company Behaviour GM0511 or GM0509 or specialization course Elective Specialization course*

4 / 9 Year 2 Logistics track Freight Transport track General track Autumn Term Period 1 GM0519 Sustainable Logistics GM0508 Shipping Production Systems and Logistics Management GM0519 or GM0508 or specialization course Autumn Term Period 2 Elective GM0512 Research methods Specialization course* Spring Term Period 3-4 Elective, Master Degree Project (30 hec) *One of the specialization courses may be exchanged for an elective course The electives are tentative depending upon faculty changes and number of registered students and may vary from year to year. Examples of elective courses offered are Contemporary Topics in Logistics I, Contemporary Topics in Logistics II, Maritime Law, Transport Law Perspective, Environmental Aspects Logistics, and elective courses offered by other GS programmes. The programme covers four academic terms of full-time study (120 hec) including three terms of courses (90 hec) and one term of Master Degree Project 30 hec (thesis writing). The programme comprises core courses, including methods, elective courses and Master Degree Project (thesis writing). Core courses are programme specific and include courses in methods with emphasis on qualitative and quantitative analysis. Elective courses from other Master programmes, or in special cases, and only after permission granted by the Graduate School, second cycle courses at other universities may be an option. Each term is divided into two periods, and each course is, except where noted. Courses during the autumn term year 1, depend on the student s background. The programme offers a unique combination of general knowledge and skill in logistics and transport management and a possibility for in depth studies of the topic in one of two tracks within the wider subject. The general knowledge and skill is provided through courses in general logistics and also in strategic management and international trade. The tracks are provided for the students by choice of one of two different sub-areas during part of the programme. The two tracks are: Logistics and Freight Transport. Each track will be given on condition that it is chosen by a sufficient

5 / 9 number of students. In addition, some personal differentiation will be possible through elective courses and specialization courses. The Logistics track presents business processes and strategies needed to achieve integrated logistics management. The track describes logistics practices in a global economy, how to apply logistics principles to achieve competitive advantage, and also how to integrate logistics as a core competency within company supply chain strategy. The Freight Transport track deals with transport economics and strategic management aspects of transport providers and their means of production; freight flow control; the design and operation of efficient and effective transport systems; the evaluation of transport systems and transport solutions; transport demand and customer behaviour; competition in and for transport markets; and transport regulation and public policy. It also focuses specifically on strategic management aspects of waterborne transport systems and vessel operators. It presents the physical and organisational infrastructure of transport systems in which the maritime transport constitutes an essential part. The track further deals with the design and operation of efficient and effective systems for waterborne transport with an eye on their door-todoor competitiveness. Finally, the track also deals with the maritime industry in terms of freight markets, company behaviour, and maritime policy. The general track enables students to mix courses from both tracks and from the specialization packages (see below). The specific content of the programme will depend on the track chosen. In addition, there are elective courses available to students which will enable them to differentiate their programmes to some extent. Core courses Entrance A Integrated Logistics, 1 st term Transportation, 1 st term Supply Chain Management, 1 st term Operations Management, 1 st term Retailing, Wholesaling and Logistics,, 2 nd term Intermodal Freight Transport, 2 nd term Research Methods, 3 rd term Entrance B Logistics Systems Simulation, 1 st term Multivariate Data Analysis, 1 st term Retailing, Wholesaling and Logistics,, 2 nd term Intermodal Freight Transport, 2 nd term Research Methods, 3 rd term

6 / 9 Core Track Logistics: Retailing, Wholesaling and Logistics, International Trade and Logistics, Sustainable Logistics, Core Track Freight Transport: Intermodal Freight Transport, The Shipping Industry - Maritime Policy, Freight Markets and Company Behaviour, Shipping Production Systems and Logistics Management, Studies abroad (part of spring term year 1 and autumn term year 2) Only students with very good study results at the Graduate School, excellent English language proficiency and a clear purpose for their exchange period may be permitted to study as exchange students at our partner universities. Master Degree Project (thesis writing) 30 hec Year 2, 4 th term The fourth term is devoted to full time Master Degree Project writing (30 hec) under the supervision of a faculty member. The choice of thesis topic will take place during the third term. Specializations Specializations are packages of courses within the area of a Master of Science programme. In practice this means 3-4 courses of plus a thesis (Master Degree Project) in the specific area. Graduate School will implement three cross-master specializations, specifically Environmental Sustainability, Public Management and Event and Tourism as alternatives to the elective courses. If a student wishes to participate in any of the specializations this is done by selecting necessary electives (3-4 during spring term year 1 and autumn term year 2). It is not possible to participate both in the tracks and the specialization simultaneously. The following specializations are applicable to the Logistics and Transport Management programme: Logistics and Transport Management Event and Tourism Public Management Environmental Sustainability YES YES YES The specializations available are tentative depending upon faculty changes and number of registered students and may vary from year to year.

7 / 9 6. Tuition and Examination The language of instruction is English. Courses will include lectures, seminars and case studies. The students will also work together in small groups, according to educational principles such as problem-based learning, experiential learning and action learning. Group reports will be assessed and graded individually, as will individual term papers and individually written exams. The courses will be examined separately. Each course is graded with Pass with Distinction (väl godkänd, VG), Pass (godkänd, G) or Fail (underkänd, U). The Graduate School is obliged to offer the exam at least five times during the course of each two year period. Students who have made five unsuccessful attempts to pass an exam have lost the possibility of obtaining the Master of Science Degree. 7. Admission Requirements and Selection Process General Entrance Requirements The applicant must hold the minimum of a Bachelors Degree 1 (i.e. the equivalent of 180 higher education credits, (hec)) with a major subject, from an accredited university. The university has to be listed in the latest edition of the International Handbook of Universities/World List of Universities and other Institutions of Higher Education 2 (the UNESCO-based worldwide association of higher education institutions). All credits in the Degree need to be from an accredited university. The applicant s university education must also include a thesis, term paper or equivalent proof of proficiency in academic writing. 1 The equivalent to a Swedish Bachelors Degree depends on 1) Length of education 2) grade/division/class of your total degree. 2 http://www.iau-aiu.net/onlinedatabases/list.html

8 / 9 English Proficiency Requirements The applicant must prove English proficiency by one of the following: I. English language test TOEFL IBT (internet based) test result of at least 90 points, with score of at least 20 in written test TOEFL (paper based) test result of at least 575 points, with score of at least 4.5 in written test IELTS test result of at least 6.5 with no individual score below 5.5 The test result must not be older than 2 years on the last date for application. II. III. IV. Bachelors Degree, based upon at least 3 years of full-time studies, from an education with English as the only language of instruction (with the exception of students from Pakistan and Bangladesh). (Please note! Language of instruction must be indicated on official degree certificate/transcript of records/diploma supplement or on the University s official website). Bachelors Degree with a major in English language. English level B at the Swedish Upper Secondary School. Programme Specific Entrance Requirements Master of Science in Logistics and Transport Management A) The applicant s university education must include a minimum of 60 hec in one, or a combination, of the following subject areas: Business Administration, Industrial Management, and Economics. In addition the education must include a minimum of 15 hec in Statistics, or in Statistics and in quantitative methods and/or Mathematics. Or B) The applicant s university education must include at least a Bachelors Degree (i.e. the equivalent of 180 hec) in Engineering, Natural Science or Law and also a minimum of 30 hec in one, or a combination, of the following subject areas: Business Administration, Industrial Management, and Economics. In addition the education must include a minimum of 15 hec in Statistics, or in Statistics and in quantitative methods and/or Mathematics. The admission requirements listed above apply for admission to the programme. For continued studies within the programme individual courses might have specific requirements, as provided in each course outline.

9 / 9 Selection Process In order to be eligible the applicant must meet the General Entrance Requirements, the English Proficiency Requirements as well as the Programme Specific Entrance Requirements. The selection of eligible students is based on GMAT result or GRE General Test result. The GMAT or GRE General Test result must not be older than 5 years on the last date for application. Should the situation arise that a group ties due to equal qualifications, selection is made according to the applicant s first choice of programme. If this process does not resolve the tie, a final selection is made by ballot. 8. Degree Certificate and Degree Title Upon completion (receiving a minimum grade of Pass) of all the courses and the degree project, and fulfilment of the requirements given above, students will receive a Master of Science (120 credits) with a Major in Logistics and Transport Management. 9. Programme Evaluation All courses in the programme will be anonymously evaluated by the students upon completion. The results of the evaluation will be communicated to the students and will function as a guide for the development of the course and of the programme.