Study Plan for Master of Science in Logistics (2025–2027)

Logistics entails organizing the flow of products, services and information from raw materials to the end-user. For a large number of industrial and business companies, achieving high quality logistics operations will be the key competitive factor for future success. Hence, it is a considerable focus on logistics in the business world. The knowledge can be used in all sorts of industries /organizations, which means that the job market for students with a master’s degree in logistics is generally quite good.

The program aims to give a thorough analysis and understanding of problems, challenges and solutions associated with all parts of the value chains: purchasing and supply, production planning, inventory management and distribution planning, including the management of transport services. Understanding the relations between different value chains, (Supply Chain Management) is also a major focus in the program.

The approaches to problem-solving in logistics require a broad understanding of the subject matter in order to find satisfactory solutions on the basis of an analysis of alternatives. Hence, logistics as a scientific discipline rests on a broad spectrum of other disciplines, such as economics, information/communication technology, business administration, organization and management, as well as quantitative methods based on mathematics, operations research and statistics. The involvement of all these topics within the field of logistics makes it exciting and challenging to study logistics at this level.

Students in the program will choose one of the three main specializations, called Supply Chain Management (SCM), Sustainable Freight Transport (SFT) and Logistics Analytics (LA). Students choosing the SCM-variant must – before the second semester starts – choose between the two different sub- variants of Advanced SCM or Information systems. Students choosing the LA-variant must- before the second semester starts-choose between the sub-variants of Logistics Analytics or Operations Research.

The specialization in Supply Chain Management is suited for students with an interest in organization, business and to some extent social science. Although mathematics and statistics are used, the focus is more on the qualitative aspects involved in the management of the value chain. Suitable backgrounds include supply chain management, economics, business administration, among others.

The specialization in Sustainable Freight Transport focuses on analysis and understanding of strategic and operative aspects related to in- and outbound freight flows in a supply chain. The analysis of freight transport's key role in climate actions is also central in this track.

The specialization in Logistics Analytics is suited for students interested in quantitative methods for analyzing, planning and management of activities involved in production, inventory, transportation and distribution within and across companies. Modern topics as big data, visual analytics and robotization will be covered.

The program is taught entirely in English and currently includes students from more than 10 different countries, both within and outside Europe. This means that those participating in the program will have the benefit of belonging to a truly international group of students and to enhance their language skills, making them ready for logistics careers in an ever more globalized economy

After completing the program, the successful candidate is expected to:

Knowledge

• have advanced knowledge about supply chains and logistics in general
• have specialized knowledge about selected topics when dealing with different types of supply chains
• have extensive knowledge of scientific theories and methods relevant to managing supply chains and operations within such chains
• have advanced knowledge of the relations between supply chains and relevant theories within economics and business administration
• have advanced knowledge about logistics, operations research and operations management in general

Skills

• be able to use advanced theory and methods to identify inefficiencies in supply chains
• be able to propose improving organizational/structural changes and suggest ways of implementing such changes in a supply chain.
• be capable of performing a limited supervised research project within a supply chain in line with ruling academic standards of the field
• be able to identify operational challenges/problems in supply chains and logistics systems and to assert the relevance of models and methods to resolve these
• be able to select relevant models and methods for approaching a given logistical problem.
• be able to choose and use relevant software and technology in implementing computer-assisted solution methods

General Competence

• be able to present and communicate professional issues relevant to SCM and logistics, on an expert- as well as a common level
• be able to apply acquired knowledge and skills within new areas of research and applications
• be able to read scientific papers and other academic work with a critical view

Logistics entails organizing the flow of products, services and information from raw materials to the end-user. For a large number of industrial and business companies, achieving high quality logistics operations will be the key competitive factor for future success. Hence, it is a considerable focus on logistics in the business world. The knowledge can be used in all sorts of industries /organizations, which means that the job market for students with a master’s degree in logistics is generally quite good.

The program aims to give a thorough analysis and understanding of problems, challenges and solutions associated with all parts of the value chains: purchasing and supply, production planning, inventory management and distribution planning, including the management of transport services. Understanding the relations between different value chains, (Supply Chain Management) is also a major focus in the program.

The approaches to problem-solving in logistics require a broad understanding of the subject matter in order to find satisfactory solutions on the basis of an analysis of alternatives. Hence, logistics as a scientific discipline rests on a broad spectrum of other disciplines, such as economics, information/communication technology, business administration, organization and management, as well as quantitative methods based on mathematics, operations research and statistics. The involvement of all these topics within the field of logistics makes it exciting and challenging to study logistics at this level.

Students in the program will choose one of the three main specializations, called Supply Chain Management (SCM), Sustainable Freight Transport (SFT) and Logistics Analytics (LA). Students choosing the SCM-variant must – before the second semester starts – choose between the two different sub- variants of Advanced SCM or Information systems. Students choosing the LA-variant must- before the second semester starts-choose between the sub-variants of Logistics Analytics or Operations Research.

The specialization in Supply Chain Management is suited for students with an interest in organization, business and to some extent social science. Although mathematics and statistics are used, the focus is more on the qualitative aspects involved in the management of the value chain. Suitable backgrounds include supply chain management, economics, business administration, among others.

The specialization in Sustainable Freight Transport focuses on analysis and understanding of strategic and operative aspects related to in- and outbound freight flows in a supply chain. The analysis of freight transport's key role in climate actions is also central in this track.

The specialization in Logistics Analytics is suited for students interested in quantitative methods for analyzing, planning and management of activities involved in production, inventory, transportation and distribution within and across companies. Modern topics as big data, visual analytics and robotization will be covered.

The program is taught entirely in English and currently includes students from more than 10 different countries, both within and outside Europe. This means that those participating in the program will have the benefit of belonging to a truly international group of students and to enhance their language skills, making them ready for logistics careers in an ever more globalized economy

The program courses use a wide range of teaching and study methods. Standard courses run over one semester with classes once or twice per week, but in some cases a course can include more intensive teaching within a limited time period. Students have homework in terms of exercises, computer lab work, case studies and essays, both individually and in groups. The one-week seminars in the third semester are intensive courses with a mix of lectures, homework, discussions and student presentations. Participation in the seminars normally requires that students have passed the mandatory courses in the two first semesters. Students finalize the degree by carrying out a supervised research project and write their thesis on basis of this. Students enrolled in the program are expected to do at least 40 hours of study work per week. The program is not suited for distance learning.

Some additional information about the MSc program can be found on https://www.himolde.no/english/studies/programmes/master-programmes-in-logistics/index.html