UCL - Transportation and Logistics

[LSMS2033]

[30h] 5 credits

Teacher(s): Tom Van Woensel

Language: English

Level: Second

Aims
Main themes
Content and teaching methods
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Aims

At the end of the class, students should be able to
- understand and master the strategic role, structure and functions of logistics systems (aiming at designing, operating and controlling the transportation, distribution and warehousing activities) ;
- design the planning and control tasks of logistics systems;
- formulate, analyze and design solutions - using state-of-the-art and adequate methods - for some strategic or operational logistics problems: transportation, distribution, warehouse management.

Main themes

This advanced course describes the logistics systems, their managerial objectives and the current trends in the development of advanced decision support systems. In particular, emphasis is put on modeling and solving logistics problems using state-of-the-art approaches. The transportation, distribution and warehousing functions will be studied indetails through lectures and case studies.

Content and teaching methods

The class mixes
- lectures with additional individual readings and exercises,
- solution of cases in groups: design and implementation of solutions .

Content :

1. Introduction to logistics systems:
- Logistics systems
- Managerial issues and trends
- Decision support systems

2. Models and methods
- Network Optimisation models and methods,
- Mixed Integer Programming and decomposition methods,
- Heuristic optimisation methods.

3. Design of Logistics Network
4. Design and Operation of Warehouses
5. Planning and Scheduling for Long-Haul Freight Transportation
6. Planning and Scheduling for Short-Haul Freight Transportation

Methods :
In-class activities
1 Lectures
1 Exercices/PT
1 Project based learning
At home activities
1 Readings to prepare the lecture
1 Exercices to prepare the lecture
1 Paper work
1 Students presentation

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Evaluation :
- Case solutions including class presentations,
- Written exam (open book) with open questions and exercises.

Support :
Introduction to Logistics Systems Planning & Control, Ghiani, Laporte, Musmanne, Wiley 2004.
+ slides provided through iCampus

References :
- Stadtler H., C. Kilger (Eds), "Supply chain management and advanced planning : concepts, models, software and case studies", 2d edition, Springer, 2002.
- Y. Pochet, L.A.Wolsey: "Production Planning by Mixed Integer Programming", Springer, 2006.
- Introduction to Logistics Systems Planning & Control, Ghiani, Laporte, Musmanne, Wiley 2004.

Additional and more specialized references will be provided during the class

Internationalisation :
1 international content (does the course tackle international issues related to the course content ?)
1 international case study

Corporate features :
1 case study
1 corporate guest

Skills :
1 presentation skills
1 writing skills
1 team work
1 problem solving
1 decision making
1 critical thinking

Techniques and tools for teaching and learning :
1 IT tools
1 modelling
1 quantitative methods
1 mathematics