Outline

Overview

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	Andrew Collins, andrew.collins@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final exam Written exam	30%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Quizzes quiz	10%	Multiple weeks	5 quizzes @ 4 questions each
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Individual report Individual report	30%	Week 06 Due date: 06 Apr 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 16 Apr 2025	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Group presentation Presentations	30%	Week 13 Due date: 26 May 2025 at 10:00 Closing date: 26 May 2025	15 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = AI allowed ?

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. 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. 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 20 for the content of the presentation. Individuals will receive an individual mark out of 10 for their presentation style, and the integration with the overall presentation.
Final exam: The two hour 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.

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

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

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, as the presentations will take place on the same day that the slides are due.

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.

Learning support

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to global logistics	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 02	Strategic logistics management	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 03	Tactical logistics management	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 04	Customer service	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 05	Distribution networks. Last mile logistics	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 06	Demand forecasting	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 07	Inventory management	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 08	Warehouse management	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 09	The transport system	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 10	Supply chain risk management	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 11	Logistics performance and quality	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 12	Reverse logistics	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 13	Group presentations	Presentation (3 hr)

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

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

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

Change from lecture+tutorial format to seminar (i.e. lecture and tutorial material integrated into the same session). More examples provided.

Additional information

Business School Policies

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

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

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

ITLS5250: Foundation in Global Logistics

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

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

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links