Study Plan for Master of Science in Logistics (2019–2021)

Study information

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. There is therefore a considerable focus on logistics in the business world. Accordingly, the job market for students with a master's degree in logistics is generally 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 requires a broad understanding of the subject matter in order to arrive at satisfactory solutions on the basis of an analysis of alternatives. Logistics as a scientific discipline thus rests on a broad spectrum of 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 in logistics makes it exciting and challenging to study logistics at this level. 

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

Supply Chain Management is suited for students with an interest in organization, business and to some extent social science. Although mathematics and statistics is 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. 

Logistics Analytics - is meant for students interested in quantitative methods for analyzing, planning and management of activities involved in procurement, production, inventory and distribution within and across companies. Mondern topics as big data, visual analytics and robotisation will be covered. Ideal backgrounds are (quantitative) logistics, mathematics and computer science.  

The program is taught entirely in English and currently includes students from more than 10 differentcountries, many outside Europe. This means that those participating in the program will have thebenefit 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

What do you learn?

Degree/title obtained

Master of Science in Logistics

Learning outcomes

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

General Competence 

• be able to communicate about 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 

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 chose and use relevant software and technology in implementing computer-assisted solution methods

Admission

Admission takes place during the spring semester every year, and the program starts in the middle of August. The MSc program in Logistics is open to both Norwegian and international applicants who fulfil all the admission requirements, and where applicants outside EU/ EEA must document funding of minimum NOK 116 369 per academic year together with their application to cover their own living expenses for their planned MSc studies in Molde. As a recognized state-run specialized university, HiMolde is not charging any tuition fees from Norwegian or international students, but all admitted students have to pay a minor semester fee of approximately NOK 745 per semester. Admitted international students outside EU/ EEA will be requested to transfer a minimum of NOK 116 369 to our Deposit Account for International Students within a deadline first stated in the letter of admission.

For Supply Chain Management (SCM):
Applicants should have completed a relevant BA, BSc, BEng, BTech degree (equivalent to a minimum of 180 ECTS credits) in Logistics, Economics, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering/ Organization, Mathematics or Information Technology/ Computer Science. Although it is important that all applicants have sufficient background in Mathematics and Statistics, the main focus is more on the qualitative aspects involved in the management of the value chain.

For Logistics Analytics (LA):

Applicants choosing this study option must have completed a recognized BA, BSc, BEng or BTech degree (equivalent to a minimum of 180 ECTS credits) with a stronger quantitative background within Mathematics, Mathematical Modelling, Statistics, Economics, Information Technology / Computer Science, or relevant Engineering disciplines. 

Admission to the MSc program in Logistics at HiMolde is highly competitive when it comes to grades. Applicants should preferably have an average grade of First Class/ First Division or Second Class Upper Division or equivalent average grades from their recognized bachelor's degree to be considered for admission. Applicants who have completed only a HND (Higher National Diploma) or similar Diploma/ Advanced Diploma Educations do not qualify to apply for admission.  

Some groups of applicants will also be required to fulfil the formal English language requirements to apply for admission, by taking an IELTS test with a minimum score of 6.0, or a TOEFL test with a minimum score of 550 on paper based test/ 213 on computer based test/ or 79 on internet based test. Other groups of applicants can be exempted from the formal English language requirements.  

Application deadlines: 

1 February 2019: International applicants applying directly from abroad, and applicants with international education who have a temporary residence permit in Norway, including EU citizens with a registration certificate in Norway.  

15 April 2019: Applicants who are either Norwegian citizens, or applicants who already have a permanent residence permit in Norway.

 
Administrative Contact Person International applicants:

Ragnhild Brakstad, Senior Adviser/International Coordinator MSc studies
ragnhild.brakstad@himolde.no

Phone: +47 71 21 41 08

Structure and content

Programme content

Molde University College – Specialized University in Logistics is one of the best places to study Logistics and Operation Management in Europe. The MSc programme in Logistics is open for Norwegian students and international students with individual funding.

Logistics deals with the organization of the flow of products, services and information from raw materials to the end user, and is therefore built on a broad spectrum of academic disciplines, such as economics, business administration, industrial organization, management, information technology/ computer science, besides more quantitative techniques and models based on mathematics, statistics, engineering, and operations research.  

There are two specializations/ study options within the MSc program in Logistics:

1. Supply Chain Management (SCM)

This study option gives students knowledge and understanding of strategic and managerial processes within firms, where the focus is on problems and solutions associated with the management of logistics activities and inter-organizational issues like industrial organization, purchasing and supply management.  
In the second semester the students can choose between three different sub-variants:

• Advanced Supply Chain Management

• Transportation in Supply Chain Management

• Information Systems in Supply Chain Management.

2. Logistics Analytics (LA) 

This study option is meant for students who are more interested in quantitative methods for planning and management of activities in procurement, production, inventory and distribution with and across companies. Mondern topics as big data, visual analytics and robotisation will be covered.
In the second semester the students can choose between two different sub-variants:

• Logistics Analytics

• Operations Research
  

Content and structure of the programme

In the first semester there will only be mandatory subjects. There will be one common subject for the two main varieties. In the second semester the SCM-students have to choose between 3 different sub-variants and the LA-students have to choose between 2 different sub-variants. There will be a mix of mandatory subjects and electives. The latter can be chosen from all subjects in all MSc programs in Logistics. The third and fourth semesters are structurally the same for all specializations. The series of one- or two weeks seminars in the third semester requires that each student follows at least ten seminars (10 weeks) selected from a set of more than 20 available topics. In addition all students have to write a proposal which is the starting point for the master thesis which is written in the fourth semester.

 

Some additional information about the MSc program can be found on https://www.himolde-maslog.com/

Organisation and learning

The two years (120 ECTS) international MSc program in Logistics is held in English, and consists of 90 credits course work, and a master's thesis of 30 credits.

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. Students have homework in terms of exercises, computer lab work, case studies and essays, both individually and in groups. The one- or two-weeks seminars in the third semester are intensive courses with a mix of lectures, homework, discussions and student presentations. 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.

Required study progression

An achievement of at least 75% of nominal study progression during an academic year is required in order to maintain the place in the study programme.

Assessment

Student assessment is made on basis of monitored exams, essays, written case study reports and oral presentations.

Future studies

The Master`s degree will qualify the candidate to apply for admission to the PhD program in logistics at Molde University College, as well as other PhD programs in Norway or abroad. Admission to the PhD programs via the MSc program is dependent on excellent academic performance.