MODULE SPECIFICATION

  1. Title of the module

Warehousing and Global TransportationManagement (CB9058)

  1. School or partner institution which will be responsible for management of the module

Kent Business School

  1. The level of the module (e.g. Level 4, Level 5, Level 6 or Level 7)

Level 7

  1. The number of credits and the ECTS value which the module represents

15credits

  1. Which term(s) the module is to be taught in (or other teaching pattern)

Spring

  1. Prerequisite and co-requisite modules

CB996 and Logistics Modelling and Applications

  1. The programmes of study to which the module contributes

MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management – compulsory module

  1. The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
    On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
  2. critically evaluatethe roles warehouses, transportation centres and the different modes of transport have on the logistic and supply chain systems
  3. demonstrate an in depth understanding of the suitable quantitative approaches used in warehousing and global transportation;
  4. evaluate the use of such methods in practice and their impact in generating a competitive advantage
  1. The intended generic learning outcomes.
    On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
  2. solve problems arising in warehousing and transportation

9.2communicate effectivelyboth orally and in writing on the area of logistics focussing in warehousing and transportation using real life case studies

9.3use computer software such as Excel solver and VBA for modelling purposes

  1. A synopsis of the curriculum

The module is divided into three parts outlined below.

1)Warehousing/Storage:

The Warehouse Location

Layout problem

Warehousing (storage equipment, picking strategies, packaging, labelling)

2)Inventory management

3)Distribution & Global Transportation

GlobalTransportation (air, sea, railroads, trucks, motorbikes/bicycles, pipelines, others)

Techniques used (routing methods, shortest paths, transport, flows)

Transport/road technology including software and hardware (trucking devices, software used, etc)

Transport modelling and its impact on the environment and safety (multi-objective models

between cost, slow-steaming, environment or risk)

  1. Reading List (Indicative list, current at time of publication. Reading lists will be published annually)

Core reading:

  • Bartholdi, J.J. (2011) Warehouse and Distribution Science (version 0.95), free download, Georgis Institute of Technology, USA,
  • Crocker, B., Jessop, D., Morrison,A. (2012) Inbound Logistics Management: Storage and Supply Chain of materials for the modern supply chain (7th edition), London: Pearson..
  • Richards, G.(2015)Warehouse Management, (2nd edition)London: Kogan Page
  • Rushton, A., Croucher, P., and Baker, P. (Eds) (2014) The Handbook of Logistics and Distribution Management (5th edition), CILT (UK), London: Kogan Page
  • Wild, R. (latest ed), Production and Operations Management, London: Cassell

Additional reading:

  • Chopra, S. and Meindl, P. (2010) Supply Chain Management: Strategy, Planning and Operations (3rd edition) London: Pearson
  • Christopher, M. (2010) Logistics and Supply Chain Management, London: Prentice Hall
  • Daganzo, C.GF. (2005) Logistics Systems Analysis (latest edition), New York: Springer.
  • Eilon,S., Watson-Gandy,D.D.T., and Christofides,N. (1971), Distribution Management: Mathematical Modelling and Practical Analysis, London: Griffin
  • Liu,J.J. (2012) Supply Chain management and the Transport Logistics, Oxford: Routledge
  1. Learning and Teaching methods

The module will comprise 42 hours of staff-student contact. In addition, students will be expected to study privately for approximately 108 hours (48 hours in preparation for the examples classes including the in-class test, and 60 hours on the written assignments).

There will be 36 hours of class contact time in 12 weekly 3 hour blocks. In each block, approximately 2 hours will be used for formal lectures and one hour will be devoted to individual tasks within seminars including group discussion and presentation. There will be also 6 hours of computer labs using IT such as Excel and VBA (3 x two-hour labs). This will help the student gain some experience in solving standard problems that exist in logistic systems and supply chain such as location, picking strategies, bin-packing, scheduling, transportation and inventory control.

In addition, students will be expected to study for

  • 4 hours per week of reading and assimilation of lecture material and preparation for seminars and computer labs (48 hours),
  • The remaining 60 hours should be used for the preparation of the assignments, the presentations, and the writing of the final mini project.

The teaching methods will balance both the technical side including the use of IT as well as encouraging critical thinking, group discussion and communication.

The computer labs will offer the students the opportunity to put in practice some of their knowledge using Excel/VBA.

  1. Assessment methods.

The module is assessed 100% by coursework made up of three pieces (one case study report including a group presentation, one individual report and one in-class test).

1)The first task (20%): A written report on a case study based on warehousing (15%) and a presentation (5%). The presentation is given in pairs to encourage communication and group work but the report is written individually.

2)The second task (20%): This is anin-class test for one hour testing the use and interpretation of some of the techniques used in the area of transport, location and inventory. This task will assess the individual student knowledge and understanding of the methods studied under pressure and time restriction.

3)The third and last coursework (60%). This is an individual report where the students will produce their own report. It is made up of 2 parts where the first one is based on a mini project (maximum 2,000 words) worth 40% and the second one is made up of extensive technical exercises assessing the use of some of the methods for large data instance. The aim of this task to provide the student with an opportunity to investigate, using primary or secondary data the effect of studying warehousing and/or transportation, and test some of the techniques learnt using Excel/VBA and summarise the findings.

The first and last pieces of assessment willtest students’ understanding and ability to survey methods, work in groups, and explore material through the web and publications and to be able to critically analyse some of these techniques. The in-class test will focus in assessing individual student knowledge and the use of the techniques learned. This will also assess the individual performance of the student under examination environment.

  1. Map of Module Learning Outcomes (sections 8 & 9) to Learning and Teaching Methods (section12) and methods of Assessment (section 13)

Module learning outcome / 8.1 / 8.2 / 8.3 / 9.1 / 9.2 / 9.3
Learning/ teaching method / Hours allocated
Private Study / 108 / x / x / x / x / x / x
Lectures / 36 / x / x / x / x / x
Laboratory / 6 / x / x / x
Assessment method / 100% coursework
Class test / 20% / x / x
Report (part 1) / 20% / x / x / x / x
Report (part 2) / 60% / x / x / x / x / x / x
  1. The School recognises and has embedded the expectations of current disability equality legislation, and supports students with a declared disability or special educational need in its teaching. Within this module we will make reasonable adjustments wherever necessary, including additional or substitute materials, teaching modes or assessment methods for students who have declared and discussed their learning support needs. Arrangements for students with declared disabilities will be made on an individual basis, in consultation with the University’sdisability/dyslexiastudent support service, and specialist support will be provided where needed.
  1. Campus(es) or Centre(s) where module will be delivered:

Canterbury

FACULTIES SUPPORT OFFICE USE ONLY

Revision record – all revisions must be recorded in the grid and full details of the change retained in the appropriate committee records.

Date approved / Major/minor revision / Start date of the delivery of revised version / Section revised / Impacts PLOs( Q6&7 cover sheet)
08/04/2016 / Minor / Sept 2016 / 1, 7, 10

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Module Specification Template (September 2015)