PROFESSOR JOHN C. SPYCHALSKI, Chair of the Department of Business Logistics

A popular description of Business Logistics is with the label "7-Rs"--ensuring availability of the right product, in the right quantity and the right condition, at the right place, at the right time for the right customer, at the right cost. More formally, logistics involves the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the flow and storage of raw materials, in-process inventories, finished goods, services, and related information from point of origin to point of consumption. Under this definition, logistics includes (1) purchase of materials from a firm's suppliers, (2) transportation of those materials to the firm's facilities and, if necessary, their storage until needed in the firm's production process; and (3) movement of finished goods through storage and transportation channels to the firm's customers. Logistics thus gathers the items needed to manufacture products (or obtains them for resale, as in wholesale and retail firms), and distributes finished products to customers.

In addition to management of the process elements of logistics, the Business Logistics major gives attention to the management and economics of domestic and international freight and passenger transportation systems, and to policies toward the performance of such systems.

The Business Logistics major helps prepare students for careers in three major areas: (1) manufacturing, merchandising, and service companies, focusing on transportation, inventory, warehousing, product scheduling, customer service, procurement, and other logistics processes; (2) freight and passenger transportation networks and terminal facilities operated by private firms and public authorities; and (3) consulting firms and government agencies concerned with transportation and logistics.

For the B.S. degree in Business Logistics, a minimum of 128 credits is required (at least 15 credits must be taken at the 400 level).

BUSINESS LOGISTICS MINOR: Students must take B LOG 301(3) or B A 302(3); ECON 002 GS(3), B LOG 320(3). Select 9 credits from B LOG 405(3), 410(3), 415(3), 420(3), 430(3), 432(3), or 455(3).

Scheduling Recommendation by Semester Standing given like (Sem:1-2)

GENERAL EDUCATION: 46 credits
(12 of these 46 credits are included in the REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)
(See description of General Education in front of Bulletin.)

ELECTIVES: 0-12 credits

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR: 82-94 credits
(This includes 12 credits of General Education courses: 3 credits of GWS courses; 3 credits of GS courses; and 6 credits of GQ courses.)

PRESCRIBED COURSES (48 credits)
ACCTG 211(4), B A 243(4), CMPSC 203 GQ(4), ECON 002 GS(3)[1], 004 GS(3), M I S 204(2), MS&IS 200(4) (Sem: 1-4)
B A 301(3), 302(3), 303(3), 304(3), B LOG 320(3)[1], 421(3)[1]
ENGL 202D GWS(3)[1] (Sem: 5-6)
B LOG 425W(3)[1] (Sem: 7-8)

ADDITIONAL COURSES (13 credits)
MATH 110 GQ(4) or 140 GQ(4) (Sem: 1-2)
Select 9 credits[1] from B LOG 400(3), 410(3), 415(3), 420(3), 430(3), 432(3), or 455(3) (Sem: 5-8)

SUPPORTING COURSES AND RELATED AREAS (21-33 credits)
(Students may apply 6 credits of ROTC.)
Attainment of third-level proficiency in a single foreign language (0-12). Proficiency must be demonstrated by either examination or course work. See the admission section of the general information in this bulletin for the placement policy for Penn State foreign language courses. (Sem: 1-4)
Select 12 credits from related courses in consultation with adviser (at least 3 credits must be at the 400 level) (Sem: 1-4)
Select 6 credits of international courses related to the foreign language area (see department list of approved courses) (Sem: 5-8)
Select 3 credits from related business and economics courses in consultation with adviser (Sem: 5-8)

[1] A student enrolled in this major must receive a grade of C or better, as specified in Senate Policy 82-44.

The Pennsylvania State University ©1998

The University reserves the right to change the requirements and regulations listed here and to determine whether a student has satisfactorily met its requirements for admission or graduation, and to reject any applicant for any reason the University determines to be material to the applicant's qualifications to pursue higher education. Nothing in this material should be considered a guarantee that completion of a program and graduation from the University will result in employment.

Last Revised by the Department: Spring Semester 1997

Blue Sheet Item #: 25-02-014

Review Date: 6/3/99 (General Education Update)