Study Guide

Objective

After completion of the course, the student should know the national and international transport options, understand the importance of transport costs to the profitability of the business, be able to compare the costs of different transport modes, know different distribution models and distributions, and be aware of the basics of transport law.

In addition, the student should be able to:
-Evaluate their own work and that of others
-Critically study and give feedback to report works
-Crictically evaluate different technical methods
-Account for and discuss opinions
-Argument and reason around technical questions

Content

Transport and Economy
Transportation Costs
Land Freight
Sea Freight
Air Freight
Port Activites
E-business Logistics
Global Trade and Transport

Location and time

Time: See course calendar (in Peppi) for course schedule
Place: Novia-Vasa-Engineering or online (Moodle)

Materials

We do not actually use a textbook, instead we use resources from here and from there - but if you learn the best by reading a proper book from A to Z, I recommend:
Jean-Paul Rodrigue, with Claude Comtois and Brian Slack. (2013). The Geography of Transport Systems. 3rd ed. London, Routledge. (available online: http://people.hofstra.edu/geotrans/)
And maybe (from Tritonia):
Rushton, Alan; Croucher, Phil; Baker, Peter (2014). The handbook of logistics & distribution management. Kogan Page. Revised 5th edition
Branch, Alan E. (2009). Global supply chain management and international logistics. Routledge.

Teaching methods

Project-based learning, lectures, exercises, feedback-sessions and self-studies.

Employer connections

One excursion or guest lecture during the course.

Exam schedules

By performing weekly project works and by participating in feedback sessions (with discussion) or self-development activities and excursion or guest lecture you collect points that lead to the final grade.
The first return box closes automatically the evening before the week's lecture. The report submitted here is assessed and scored within one week. The second submission box will remain open until the course starts again next year (if you have no grade by then you start again from zero points). These "late" submissions are graded within one month.
Course grade within one week after the last project, or within one month after the last submission.

Completion alternatives

Can be completed without attendance in class - you can do the projects on your own and can perform self-development activities instead of participating in feedback sessions (see more about these in Moodle).

Student workload

The student is expected to spend a total of 10 hours of work per week on the course in order to reach the European goals of 25-30 hours of work per credits obtained. 3 hours of local education (or equivalent amount of time spent on studying online material and doing self-development activities) and 7 hours of work on own time.

Content scheduling

Week Project
1 Domestic Transport
2 International Shipping
3 International Land Freight
4 International Air Freight
5 Ports Activities
6 Transport Companies
7 E-business Logistics
8 Trade Statistics
9 International Transport Law
10 The Future of Transportation
11 Excursion/Guest Lecture (can be held at other time)
12 Conclusion

Further information

For more information, please contact Mikael Ehrs on
mikael.ehrs@novia.fi or
+358447805536

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Knows many of the core concepts of the area
Knows the connection between transport, costs and profit
On request, can analyze an existing transport route, from a cost and time perspective.
Knows the importance of the transports for companies and the countries' import / export.
Can participate in a discussion about international logistics.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Can understand texts that deal with the current theme
Understands how transport links the world's economies and shape the geography.
Can independently analyze and develop a premade plan
Can specify what problems a particular transport route may encounter based on its geography.
Can hold a presentation on international logistics.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Can take part in versatile literature on international logistics
Can propose the most optimal methods for transporting goods internationally, from a cost and time perspective.
Can evaluate and propose improvements for a plan
Can argue for and against different strategies and models for international transport
Can describe and explain international logistics and its role and influence to third parties

Assessment methods and criteria

By performing project works and by participating in feedback sessions (with discussion) or self-development activities and excursion or guest lecture you collect points that lead to the final grade.
For participation in project work, the following points are awarded:
Failed = 0p (The work is obviously deficient, parts are left unfinished)
Accepted = 1p (A good work)
Excellent = 2p (Demands that you show significant initiative, creativity, enthusiasm)
For participation in a feedback-session (constructive, detailed feedback) = 1p
For completion of a self-development activity (serious, analytical) = 1p
For active participation in an excursion/guest lecture (discussing, writing) = 1p
Points Results
24->31 = 5
22->23 = 4
20->21 = 3
17->19 = 2
15->16 = 1

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

Insufficient knowledge and/or course effort to achieve a grade of 1

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Knows many of the core concepts of the area
Knows the connection between inventory, tied capital and profitability
On request, can analyze an existing supply chain, supplier selection or storage selection
Knows the importance of logistics and supply chain in the manufacturing process.
Can participate in a discussion about logistics and supply chains

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

Can understand texts that deal with the current theme
Understands how the distribution and storage processes affect profitability and cash flow
Can independently analyze and improve a premade plan
Can make a plan for developing logistics and supply chains
Can hold a presentation about logistics and delivery chains

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Can take advantage of versatile literature on logistics and inventory management
Can propose improvements in the supply chain that can affect the company's profitability and cash flow
Can evaluate and propose improvements for a plan
Can argue for and against different strategies and models for logistics and supply chain
Can describe and explain the role and influence of logistics and delivery chains to third parties

Qualifications

Logistics and ERP

Further information

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