Course Description

Logistics Processes connects multi-modal transportation to the wider supply chain function and its many, interlocking components. This course sharpens learners’ ability to optimize the variables that create efficiencies within day-to-day operations while managing operational liabilities and obligations. Whether applied to simple modal choices or complex (multi-carrier/multi-modal) projects, learners will be able to maneuver materials, finished goods and information efficiently through all points and processes before, between and after transportation links.

Building on the detailed study of each transportation mode in the Transportation Systems course, Logistics Processes continues the learning for any professional who wants or needs a more in-depth understanding of the industry. Graduates of both courses are ready for more advanced, management-oriented logistics courses like Economic Influences on Logistics and Integrated Logistics.

Prerequisite: Transportation Systems

Module topics include:

• Transportation Management
• Warehousing
• Materials Handling & Unitization
• Procurement
• Contracts
• Risk Management
• Marine Insurance
• Customs & Compliance
• International Trade
• Logistics & Supply Chain
  
  

Course grads will be able to:

• Understand and select the best warehousing, materials handling, and unitization strategies to minimize the cost, time and space needed to handle and store goods between transportation links.
   
• Procure logistics suppliers using sound selection criteria and develop performance metrics for cost-effectiveness and service quality.
   
• Negotiate stronger contracts and prepare complete Bills of Lading that avoid common errors and omissions and formalize service expectations, legal responsibilities as well as rates.
   
• Minimize the company’s exposure to damage, loss or liability through the use of proactive risk management strategies, adequate insurance and more successful claims.
   
• Facilitate smoother international trade for their companies by having a good working knowledge of: documentation required for international transportation, Canada Customs import/export processes, current Incoterms and the role of customs brokers.
  
  

Over 90% of Logistics Processes grads recommend the course to their colleagues.

 

Course Work and Final Exam:

Course work for Logistics Processes includes:

• Multiple Choice Quizzes (20%)
• Group Discussion Assignments (10%)
• Business Case Study Assignments (30%)
• An Online Final Exam (40%)

On average, students tell us that this course requires a commitment of 4-8 hours a week to complete the readings and assignments, participate in discussions, and prepare for the final examination.

Multiple Choice Quizzes – 20% of course mark

Students complete 10 short quizzes throughout the course of the semester. There is one quiz for each chapter in the Logistics Processes textbook, and each quiz includes 10 multiple choice questions. You'll automatically receive your grade for each quiz immediately after you submit your responses, so you can see which questions you got correct, learn the correct answer for any questions you got wrong, and assess your learning as you go.

There's a weekly due date for each quiz and it is recommended that you cover all the learning materials and activities each week before completing the quiz.  

Group Discussion Assignments – 10% of course mark

Students will participate in weekly online group discussions. Each week, you will be presented with discussion questions. These online discussions engage students in reflection, dialogue and debate, challenge you to apply the course material in real world business scenarios.

To receive full participation credit you must complete the following 2 steps before the weekly due date:

1. Provide a high quality response to the posted question(s). Your responses must be substantive in nature by providing full explanations, details and citations where appropriate. While there is no set requirement for length of response, one word responses will not meet the criteria for quality participation.
   
2. Read and respond to at least one of your colleagues responses. Build on responses by asking related questions, relating your experiences and making an oppositional statement supported by personal experience or related research.

Business Case Study Assignments – 30% of course mark

Students will receive a business case and throughout the course submit three critical responses from the viewpoint of working for a subject company. Each response should be approximately 1,000 words and contain a brief introduction, your analysis and recommendation, and finally a conclusion. This organization and the details of the case are fictitious but have been designed to mimic industry and supplement the learnings by demonstrating the student's ability to think critically about situations and apply the course learnings. In each of the three submissions, students will be required to submit a response, most often in the form of a recommendation, supported by the course learnings.

Final Exam – 40% of course mark

The final exam for Logistics Processes is held online, is 2.5 hours long, and is open-book. The exam is made up of two sections:

• Essay-style questions
  These questions are based on a case study that is circulated to all learners one week prior to the exam date, and involves applying the knowledge learned throughout the course to that scenario.
   
• Multiple choice questions
  This section of the exam tests learners on the course materials in general, and is not based on the case study specifically.

The final exam period runs over the course of several days at the end of the semester. You can choose any (continuous) 2.5 hour window of time to begin & complete your exam during the exam period. Once exam period dates have been set for each semester, they will become available on the Key Dates page. The exam requires access to a computer with a reliable internet connection. In order to reduce the chances of technical issues, learners should use the Firefox web browser.

Learning Assessment and Grades

Grades are reported as Honours, Pass, or Fail. To obtain a Pass, learners must earn a minimum grade of 50%. To achieve Honours, learners must earn a total grade of 80% or higher.  
The final grade is assessed based on both term work and the final examination, as follows:

• Multiple Choice Quizzes (20%)
• Group Discussion Assignments (10%)
• Business Case Study Assignments (30%)
• An Online Final Exam (40%)

Approximately one month after the final exam, you will receive your course results from CITT.

Language Options

Although the learning materials and course site are in English, a francophone facilitator is available and learners have the option of completing the formal report and answering exam questions in French if they desire.