Curriculum and Sample Course Schedule

Broad-Based and Relevant

The one-year Ross Master of Supply Chain Management degree consists of a winter term and a fall term. Between the terms, you will participate in a paid team-based summer project sponsored by a company. Your Ross experience will begin with an introduction to basic business disciplines in our MSCM Boot Camp, such as accounting, economics, finance, marketing and organizational behavior.

Manufacturing and Supply Operations (Required)

This is a course on the basic concepts and techniques of operations and inventory management. The foundation of the course is a system of manufacturing laws collectively known as "Factory Physics". These laws relate in a consistent manner various measures of operational performance such as throughput, cycle time, work-in-process, customer service, variability, and quality and provide a framework for evaluating and improving operations. Concepts and methods are examined via exercises and case studies.

Supply Chain Analytics (Required)

This course introduces students to decision support models that are most frequently used in logistics and supply chain applications. The specific topics will include the role of decision support tools in dealing with a spectrum of logistical problems, effective communication of suggested solutions, and specific models and techniques, including:

1. DC location and network design
2. Optimizing inventory levels in distribution network
3. Computation of transfer prices
4. Revenue Management
5. Yield Management
6. Estimation of product and customer costs
7. Aggregate planning and resource allocation decisions
8. Product Changes / Economies of Scale
9. Integrating supply chain and demand management (benefits and costs of delayed
   differentiation, mass customizations)

Logistics (Required)

This course will cover both the basic concepts of the logistics function as well as the challenges faced by this area. The topics will include the importance of logistics in the formation of business strategy, facility network structures and administration, transportation and traffic management, order fulfillment, warehousing, material handling, third-party logistics, forecasting and collaborative planning, global logistics, reverse logistics, and government influence on the design of logistics. Also, the challenges of choosing the appropriate information systems and of performance assessment will be discussed.

Strategic Sourcing and Procurement Management (Required)

This course will focus on the important topic of strategic sourcing and purchasing management. Topics will include: Make or Buy (Outsourcing), Supplier Selection, Supplier Relationships, Supplier Performance Evaluation, Strategic Cost Management, Product Design and Sourcing Strategy, E-sourcing (Auctions vs. Relationships), Negotiation, Global Sourcing, and Compliance issues.

Project Management (Required)

This course focuses on the systems and approaches that may be used to complete projects in a manner that is timely and not wasteful of resources, and which meets customer requirements and project goals. A core of the course is the "project management system" that includes tools for defining, planning, monitoring, and managing projects. Several cases are studied and commercial project management software is used.

Topics in Global Operations (Required)

This course is a core requirement for all MSCM students and a part of Tauber program. Designed as a series of one- or two-night modules that present various aspects of global operations, this class is taught by a Tauber Co-Director and 12 different College of Engineering and Business School faculty members presenting their areas of expertise. Topics range from traditional operations issues such as lean manufacturing and design for manufacturability, to less mainstream topics such as ethical, legal, and environmental considerations in operations. Emphasis has been placed on engaging all Tauber students, from all Participating Programs and levels of experience, and drawing on their diversity to fuel discussion.

Supply Chain Management (Required)

This is a comprehensive course covering a broad range of topics in the management of Supply Chains. The course emphasizes managerial issues and challenges as opposed to technical aspects. Topics include: Strategy and Role of Supply Chain, Inventory Management in Efficient Supply Chains, Challenges in Managing Responsive Supply Chains, Management of Transportation and Distribution, Role of Network Design, Supply Chain Performance Measurement, Supply Chain Coordination, Incentive Issues, Role of Technology and eBusiness Models.

Information Technology in Supply Chain and Logistics (Required)

Information Technology plays an increasingly important role in business. This course will explore IT’s role in Supply Chain and Logistics functions. Topics will include: Strategy, Supply Chain and IT Choice, MRP, DRP, and ERP (Evolution & Implementation Issues), Supplier Relationship Management, Customer Relationship Management, IT Transportation and Warehousing / Distribution, Decision Support Systems, Tracking Technology and Supply Chain Visibility, Supply Chain Performance Measurement.

(Special) Topics in Supply Chain Management (Required)

1. This course will address current topics of interest to supply chain professionals. For example:
2. Sustainability and Supply Chains – Reverse Logistics, Closed-Loop Supply Chains
3. Supply Chain Risk and Security
4. Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethical issues in Supply Chain Design
5. Globalization of Supply Networks (e.g., China Factor)
6. Supply Chain Relationships and Policy Implications – e.g., retail industry practices in
7. Category Management, use of slotting fees, etc.
8. Supply Chain Network Design incorporating political and legal uncertainties

Operations Strategy (Elective)

World-class operations are no accident. We can assess a company’s chance of becoming world-class
by examining the pattern of decisions that bear upon the operations function. If this pattern of decisions is coherent, is matched to the operations contexts, and is integrated into overall corporate strategy, operational excellence can become a weapon of competitive advantage for the firm. In this course we apply an analytical framework developed by Hayes and Wheelwright at the Harvard Business School. Their framework categorizes the managerial decisions that deal with operations as either structural, dealing with such “hard” issues as capacity, facilities, technology, and management of the supply chain, or infrastructural, dealing with “softer” issues such as workforce, quality, material control, and organization.

Integrated Operations (Elective)

Operations Management studies the design and management of transformation processes that create value for society. This course builds up an integrated view of operations from the foundation disciplines of physics, philosophy and psychology to gain insight into effective transformation process design coordination and control choices for the firm in its environment.

Sustainable Manufacturing (Elective)

This course will examine important emerging manufacturing management issues through the lens of the triple bottom line: economic, environmental and social sustainability. A successful student will leave the course; a) with a much deeper understanding of these major forces shaping manufacturing; b) better able to analyze and make decisions involving complex tradeoffs across economic, technological, ethical, human rights and environmental dimensions; c) more creative in identifying, proving and implementing profitable business opportunities that address these difficult tradeoffs.

Boot Camp (non-credit)

The 78-hour non-credit boot camp will cover introductory material in Economics, Finance, Strategy, Accounting, Marketing, Communications, Organizational Behavior and Statistics.

List of electives in other business disciplines

Accounting:

• Advanced Management Accounting, Cost Management Systems

Finance:

• Principles of International Finance, Managing International Portfolios, Valuation, Options and Futures in Corporate Decision Making

Marketing:

• Retailer Behavior & Customer Management, Distribution Channels

Strategy:

• The World Economy, Business in Latin America, Business in Asia, Strategic Management of Alliances

Organizational Behavior:

• Navigating Change: Skills and Strategies for consultants and managers, Bargaining and Influence Skills, Developing and Managing High Performing Teams

Business and Information Technology:

• Information Technology and Business Collaboration, Enterprise Systems Strategy

Law, History, and Communications:

• Negotiation and Dispute Resolution