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Unit outline_

ITLS5250: Foundation in Global Logistics

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

An enterprise's profitability relies on its ability to deliver the products and services that customers want in a cost effective, timely and consistent way. In increasingly competitive and volatile markets, enterprises need a globally focussed, future looking vision for the logistics task, to maintain their competitiveness. Students undertaking this unit are provided a solid foundation in the language, concepts, techniques and principles that underlie the field of global logistics and supply chain management, as well as an understanding of the various components and interactions of the global logistics system. They develop an ability to evaluate how these concepts and components can contribute towards strategically effective and operationally efficient enterprises and supply chains, across a range of industries. Emphasis is given to the creation of customer satisfaction throughout current and likely future trends across all aspects of global logistics and the importance of risk management. Students are also given an overview of the quantitative techniques which support management decision making in the global logistics space.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Transport and Logistics Studies
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
ITLS5000 or TPTM5001
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Liam French, liam.french@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Take-home short release) Type D final exam Final exam
Written exam
30% Formal exam period 3 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Tutorial quiz Quizzes
quiz
10% Multiple weeks 5 quizzes @ 4 questions each
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO2
Assignment Individual report
n/a
30% Week 06
Due date: 11 Sep 2022 at 23:59

Closing date: 21 Sep 2022
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Presentation group assignment Group presentation
n/a
30% Week 13
Due date: 31 Oct 2022 at 10:00

Closing date: 31 Oct 2022
15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type D final exam = Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Quizzes: Each quiz will check your understanding of two weeks worth of material, with four multiple choice questions. Each quiz will be available for half a day (see Canvas for precise details on when the quizzes will be available), and once started, must be completed in 10 minutes. 
  • Individual report: You are to write a professional report for senior management, explaining a key global logistics concept, as applied to a particular industry. Some of the marks will be awarded for the quality of the communication in the report, including how professional and influential the writing is. Details will be provided on Canvas.
  • Group presentation: Teams will be of five students, from the same tutorial stream. Teams will assess a particular business scenario, from a logistics and supply chain management perspective, and make recommendations. The presentation will involve pitching your proposed course of action to senior management. The team's presentation slides will need to be submitted at the beginning of Week 13 before any teams have presented. Teams will receive a group mark out of 15 for the content of the presentation. Individuals will receive an individual mark out of 15 for their presentation style, and the integration with the overall presentation.
  • Final exam: The three hour take-home final examination tests the understanding of all the material covered in the lectures, tutorials, and learning resources. The examination also tests the ability to apply this material in unfamiliar contexts.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Presentation slides cannot be accepted late. This is to ensure that no team gains an unfair advantage by presenting later.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Welcome. Academic honesty exercise and discussion Tutorial (1 hr)  
Introduction to global logistics Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Introduction to global logistics Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Strategic logistics management Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Strategic logistics management Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Tactical logistics management Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Tactical logistics management Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Customer service Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Customer service. Survey results and discussion Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Distribution networks. Last mile logistics Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Distribution networks. Last mile logistics Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Demand forecasting Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 07 Demand forecasting Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Inventory management Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Inventory management Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Warehouse management Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Warehouse management Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
The transport system Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 The transport system Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Supply chain risk management Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Supply chain risk management Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Reverse logistics Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 Logistics performance and quality Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Group presentations Presentation (1 hr) LO6 LO7

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Pienaar, W. J., and Vogt, J. J. (2016). Business logistics management (5th ed.). Cape Town, South Africa: Oxford University Press.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Explain advanced principles, theories and applications in global logistics management and their applications in various industry contexts
  • LO2. Evaluate global logistics and supply chain management concepts at the strategic, tactical, and operational levels and explore their impact, individually and collectively, on business performance
  • LO3. Analyse real global logistics problems and risks and develop innovative strategies to address these
  • LO4. Identify current trends across all aspects of global logistics and assess the implications, risks and opportunities for all relevant stakeholders
  • LO5. Apply a range of quantitative techniques that aid global logistics decision making
  • LO6. Apply fundamental or basic techniques of persuasive and professional communication to lead change and influence stakeholders.
  • LO7. Practice self-awareness and awareness of others, presentation skills, teamworking, individual autonomy and accountability in group work.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

More videos and online exercises added. More optional readings available.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.