Supply Chain Management

A supply chain includes the people and places touched by products and services before reaching the consumer. It includes manufacturers, distributors, retailers and warehouses. Supply Chain Management (SCM) is the coordination of business practices supported by information systems and technology to manage the flow of precious resources while improving performance.

Students are exposed to a broad curriculum focusing on theoretical, analytical and practical skills. It's an approach that emphasizes the integration of supply chain activities and prepares students for careers in a variety of fields, whether in a small non-profit or large corporation.

Outside the classroom, students can gain a more complete understanding of SCM through involvement with the School's student SCM organization or the international professional organization affiliates. Participation provides opportunities for expanded learning and in-depth discussion about real-world issues encountered in the field. SCM majors can expand their depth of knowledge and improve their marketability when they pursue a double major in a business area such as information systems, international business, marketing, or management.

Duquesne University's location near downtown Pittsburgh provides students with numerous professional development activities, including internships. And Duquesne's loyal alumni network can expand your circle of professional contacts.

The Palumbo-Donahue School of Business is home to the Center for Excellence in Supply Chain Management. 

 

 

Program Information

Students are exposed to a broad curriculum focusing on theoretical, analytical, and practical skills. It's an approach that emphasizes the integration of supply chain activities and prepares students for careers in a variety of fields, whether in a small non-profit or large corporation.

Program Type

Major, Minor

School

Palumbo-Donahue School of Business

Academic Department

Management and Supply Chain Management

Duration

4-year

Required Credit Hours

75

From Our Students

Allison Rousu

"Being able to be in front of actual people who work for one of the big four and presenting your idea in your first semester is such an amazing opportunity."

Allison Rousu Supply Chain Management Major
Hear from Allison

Supply Chain Management Minor

SCMG 375 Supply Chain Process Improvement
SCMG 385 SCM Information Systems and Technology

And any two of the following three courses:

SCMG 472 Strategic Supply Chain Management
SCMG 474 Supply Management Purchasing
SCMG 480 Forecasting, Production and Inventory Planning

Course Descriptions

Curriculum Guide
This course provides insight into the role of Operations and Supply Chain Management (SCM) in linking the functions and business entities responsible for the exchange of goods, services and information to complete the business transaction from supplier's supplier to customer's customer. The course focuses on managing the flow of materials, goods, services, information and cash via the processes, technologies, and facilities that link primary supplier through to ultimate customers. Attention is given to such managerial concepts as forecasting, production planning, materials planning, purchasing and supplier management, production - manufacturing and services, transportation, inventory management, warehousing, packaging, materials handling, quality and lean management and customer service. Recognition is also given to important interrelationships between supply chain management, marketing, and financial management with discussion of Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP) and Materials Requirement Planning (MRP). Interdisciplinary managerial concepts are presented to show how integration of the supply chain processes offers great potential for improving corporate profitability and return on investment. The course has numerous exercises to reinforce class content and supplement lectures. Prerequisite: STAT 285

Having in place effective and efficient process improvement techniques can be a source of competitive advantage for firms. In this course, we will cover different techniques and tools that firms can use to become better problem solvers and to continuously improve their operations and supply chains by following the methodology of Lean and Six Sigma. By the end of the course, students will be able to understand the usefulness of Lean and Six Sigma tools and methods, be able to select the tools that will work most efficiently to solve problems, and be able to effectively implement them in the workplace. Prerequisite: SCMG 267 with a grade of C or better

This course will review the major SCM strategic, tactical, and operational information systems and technologies utilized by industry leaders to integrate SCM operations and enhance collaboration within and across enterprises. Through lectures and case studies, the course provides a review of basic information systems concepts, followed by the application of these concepts to the functions of SCM. The course will also provide students with hands-on experience using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software as well as data analysis and visualization software. The course prepares students to take certification exams in Microsoft Excel and Tableau, and it counts towards the SAP student achievement award. Prerequisite: SCMG 267 with a grade of C or better
Strategic Supply Chain Management is the capstone course in the Supply Chain Management (SCM) major. This course will focus on applying knowledge from previous courses to understand the impact of effective SCM on the organization's productivity and competitiveness. Students will explore the links between overall business strategy and supply chain strategy, and will develop an in depth understanding of the principles of supply chain strategy. Several simulations will be utilized to provide hands-on experience with the challenges of SCM, including a competitive game in which student teams manage a simulated business using an Enterprise Resource Planning system. Prerequisites: SCMG 375, SCMG 385, SCMG 472 and SCMG 474 with a grade of C or better.
Transportation and logistics are the elements of supply chain management by which materials are stored and moved from points of origin to production and products are stored and moved from points of production to consumption. This course will examine warehouse operations and distribution techniques as well as the major modes of transportation, their respective capabilities and limitations, business models, and management practices. The course will also examine the role of government in the domestic and international transportation industry. Prerequisite: SCMG 267 with a grade of C or better.
This is an introductory course on the principles of strategic sourcing and supply management. Topics covered include the profit-generating potential of supply management, the role of sourcing in quality management, the price versus cost distinction, supplier selection and evaluation, value analysis, strategic sourcing activities, and ethics in procurement. Students will also examine negotiation strategies and the request for quotation process along with using SAP to manage the sourcing process. Prerequisite: SCMG 375 with a grade of C or better and MKTG 271
Forecasting, production planning, and inventory management are central to the success of any firm. The main focus of the course will be on understanding how tools and techniques in these areas apply in a supply chain and how they can aid a manager in supply chain decision making to achieve a competitive advantage. Students will apply time-series and regression methods to produce forecasts, and they will learn how to make material and finished-goods inventory decisions in single- and multiple-period decision environments. Specific attention will be given to the precedence and dependence relations between hierarchical decisions within the manufacturing planning and control process. Prerequisite: SCMG 375 with a grade of C or better

SAP Student Recognition Award

The Center for Excellence in Supply Chain Management with the co-operation of the departments of Supply Chain Management and Information Systems Management are proud to announce the SAP Student Recognition Award.

Co-sponsored by SAP University Alliance and the School of Business, this award enables you to gain hands-on experience performing transactions with SAP's Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software in purchasing, sales order management, production management, inventory and finance. In addition, you will participate in a series of computer-based simulation games, in which you will use SAP to run a business while competing against your classmates and gaining a deeper understanding of business operations.

The Award requires you to complete three designated classes that will immerse you in ERP systems, which are used by almost all major businesses:

SCMG 385 - SCM Information Systems and Technology
SCMG 469 - Strategic Supply Chain Management
ISYS 483 - Enterprise Systems

The benefits to you are having a valuable skillset listed on your resume for software which has a 25% global ERP market share that a majority of Fortune 500 companies use, and real-world preparation to enter the job market with professional confidence. You will be poised to make an immediate difference by acclimating quickly to your new employer's ERP software.

The School of Business is committed to helping you expand your horizons and raise your goals to new heights with the SAP Student Recognition Award.

Questions?

For more information, please contact us!

John Russo

Associate Director of Supply Chain Management