Operations and Supply Chain Management (BS)

The University offers a bachelor of science (BS) in operations and supply chain management.

In this age of globalization, supply chain management professionals actively operate at the hub of an organization, interacting regularly with all other business segments in the firm, including sales and marketing, finance and human resources, and with suppliers and customers located around the world, thereby ensuring that the desired product/service is available to the customer in the right condition and quantity and at the right time, place, and cost. Efficient performance of this function needs the coordination of sourcing, logistics, production operations, inventory management, and information technology in a cost effective manner. By integrating critical value-added components like manufacturing operations, purchasing, logistics and physical distribution to enhance global competitiveness, the Operations and Supply Chain Management (OSCM) major at Indiana State University's Scott College of Business provides a solid foundation to individuals seeking a career in the management of today's data-driven global supply chain operations.

Coursework in the major includes a combination of Foundational Studies and business core courses—plus a core of required courses in operations and supply chain management. In addition, students select electives to meet their particular interests and career goals, including electives from the marketing major.

Courses in operations and supply chain management focus on following areas:

• Supply chain fundamentals
• Data-driven decision making
• Lean six sigma
• Global supply chain management
• Spreadsheet applications
• Business analytics
• Global sourcing and procurement
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems
• Business forecasting
• Service operations management

Courses are taught in seminar formats by faculty who have earned doctoral degrees and/or have extensive industry experience, thus providing students with a quality education and the opportunity to develop close professional relationships with their professors.

By providing frequent class meetings in laboratory settings, students have the opportunity to experiment with and gain expertise in a variety of software packages. In addition, all courses incorporate class projects. As part of this unique teaching method, students receive hands-on experience in building models and conducting analysis using real data to provide real solutions to real clients.

One or more internships offer hands-on learning in real work situations.

Opportunities for leadership are available through membership in the student chapter of APICS: The Association for Operations Management. This group sponsors monthly meetings that provide opportunities for students to meet with regional industry professionals and to attend national conferences and participate in competitions. Free review sessions help students prepare for APICS certification examinations.