Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Instructor:
Office:
Email:
Phone:
Office Hours:
Bob Murray
325 Hayden Hall
r.murray@neu.edu
617-877-8432
Tuesday 10AM-12PM or by Appointment
Text: Transportation A Supply Chain Perspective, 7th ed. Coyle, Novack, Gibson, Bardi
(South-Western CENGAGE Learning, ISBN - 978-0-324-78919-5)
Articles: Threat of Global Gridlock, George Stalk, HBR July 2009($3.95 at HBSP.com)
Is Amazon a 3PL?, Robert Lieb, Supply Chain Journal,
http://www.supplychainquarterly.com/topics/Logistics/20141027-is-amazon-a-3pl/
Laptops and smartphones are NOT permitted for use during class time. Although a proponent of technology in order to
prevent the temptation of using chat programs, web surfing, and other non-class related activities laptops are strictly
prohibited. This of course also applies to any sort of texting or electronic communication during class time.
Assignments
- In each class, come prepared to answer questions at the end of that chapter from the textbook as well as the assigned
supplemental assigned reading(s).
- Support materials (i.e. ppt slides, etc.) can be found on BLACKBOARD
- All formal reading assignments are found in the text, hand-outs or on blackboard.
2 Exams (50% (each exam worth 25%))
- The exams are in-class, closed book, no-notes examinations.
- Any material covered in class lectures, case analyses, Guest Speakers, additional readings, videos, and text
assignments will be fair game for the exams.
- If you miss an exam without proper notification prior to the scheduled date, you will receive a zero on the exam.
The tests are set up so to challenge your critical thinking skills. These tests arent just a matter of memorizing
terms, equations, etc, and asking you to just repeat them back. These tests are thought provoking and are asking
you to take the concepts and APPLY them. Remember we are here to be intellectually challenged.
Information Sources
Below is a list of magazines and online sources that focus on Transportation.
Inbound Logistics (www.inboundlogistics.com)
Logistics Viewpoints (www.logisticsviewpoints.com)
Logistics Management Magazine (www.logisticsmgmt.com)
Supply Chain Brain (www.supplychainbrain.com)
Grading Policy
Attendance at all classes is required. Only documented evidence from the proper authority will excuse you from class.
When someone is presenting we as an audience will be attentive, meaning no sleeping, writing, using laptops or
distractions of any kind, especially true when we have a guest speaker. No assignment will be accepted late. All
deliverables are due in class on expected date. NOT AFTER CLASS, LATER THAT DAY OR ANYTIME
AFTER. Excuses such as my printer died, my USB has a virus, my dog ate my homework, I was sick, I didnt know, I
forgot, will not carry any weight in our class. Class participation is an important part of the course and it is impossible
to participate if you are not there. Late arrivals, early departures or leaving the class are highly disruptive and will
impact your participation grade. Consequently the class participation component of the grade will be made up of
participation with our guest speakers (asking relevant questions, knowing something about the company, getting
involved in the discussions, etc.), a straight numerical average of attendance, as well as a subjective evaluation of the
students overall contributions.
GRADING:
Participation(Inc. written brief)
Exam #1
Exam #2
Topical Presentation
25%
25%
25%
25%
Total
100%
Scheduling of Speakers
In order to bring as much real world experience as possible to the classroom, were fortunate to have 6 Guest Speakers
willing to come into class and share their expertise. However being successful business executives, sometimes their
schedule is subject to change on short notice due to business imperatives. While we will attempt to keep the schedule,
experience indicates sometime there might be a cancellation or postponement. Your patience, understanding and
flexibility are appreciated. Please NOTE and I apologize to the majority for having to make this statement. I am
extremely sensitive/over protective of our guest speakers. If you cannot give them your full attention (no sleeping/body
language is key/writing/perusing your laptop, Ill expect all laptops closed, etc.), do not attend the session. I will if
necessary single you out and instruct you to leave.
Students Responsibilities:
All students are expected to have:
- enthusiasm and excitement for our subject matter (if not fake it!)
- common courtesy, 1 person speaks at 1 time;
- no texting under the desk;
- no getting up in the middle of class to wander;
- Dont email me your documents, (only presentation slides). Always turn in hard copy.
- Nothing is turned in hand written, always typed, 12-font.
- NO Snoozing! I WILL INSIST.
Grades are calculated as follows, there is no rounding up or down:
Grades
Equivalents
A Outstanding Attainment
A- Excellent
B+ Very Good
93 100%
90 92.99%
87 89.99%
4.000
3.667
3.333
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
I
S
U
X
Good Attainment
Average
Below Average
Satisfactory Attainment
Below Satisfactory
Poor Attainment
83-86.99%
80 82.99%
77-79.99%
73-76.99%
70 72.99%
66 69.99%
64 - 65.99%
60 63.99%
<59.99%
3.000
2.667
2.333
2.000
1.667
1.333
1.000
0.667
0.000
Incomplete
Satisfactory achievement in a pass-fail course; counts toward total degree requirements
Unsatisfactory achievements in a pass-fail course
Incomplete in a pass-fail course
Paul Tagliamonte
Director of Logistics and Distribution
BOSE
http://www.bose.com/
Have NAMETAG, research the company and come with 5 typed transportation related questions.
2/18, Wednesday: Chapter 5 Motor Carriers
Team Topical Presentation:
1. Visit the web sites of four of the largest trucking (focus specifically on their trucking arms) companies in the US:
UPS, FedEx Ground, Schneider National and YRC. Compare and contrast them as to ease of use and available
information. Be sure to give your strong opinion and recommendations.
Current Event Article:
2/25, Wednesday: Chapter 6 Railroads
Team Topical Presentation:
1. Visit the web sites of the four Class 1 railroads: Union Pacific, CSX, Norfolk Southern and Burlington Northern
Sante Fe. Compare and contrast them as to ease of use and available information. Be sure to give your strong opinion
and recommendations.
SPRING BREAK
3/18, Wednesday: Chapter 8 Water Carriers and Pipelines
Team Topical Presentation:
1. Research and find the largest international ocean carriers serving U.S. ports (regardless of flag of convenience).
Compare and contrast tonnage in various freight lanes from origin to destination and back U.S. -Latin America,
U.S.-South America, U.S.-Asia, and U.S. Europe. Use total freight volume both picked-up and delivered at
U.S ports as the criteria. What are the trends, your analysis and recommendations for shippers?
Current Event Article:
3/25, Wednesday:
GUEST SPEAKER
Sue Spence
VP, Sourcing & Procurement
FedEx Service
www.fedex.com
Have NAMETAG, research the company and come with 5 typed transportation related questions.
4/1, Wednesday: Exam #1
Chapter 9 Transportation Risk Management
4/7, Wednesday: Chapter 10 Global Transportation Planning
Team Topical Presentation:
1. Outline the planning process for moving hiking boots made in Ho Chi Mihn, Viet Nam that will be sold to a
Dallas, Texas based retailer. Investigate and report on the following issues:
o Appropriate modes of transportation
o Available service providers
o General estimates of transport costs
o Routing options and anticipated transit times
o Documentation requirements
o Insurance needs
Current Event Article:
4/22, Wednesday:
Chapter 12 Third Party Logistics, Is Amazon a 3PL?, Robert Lieb, Nov 14(via link) and 25th Annual State of Logistics
Report, Rosalyn Wilson, CSCMP, Jun14(Hand-out)
Northeastern University
Poor
Excellent
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Poor
Excellent
12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Analysis:
1. Relevancy of their discussion.
2. Was the analysis of complete?
3. Does the analysis show the importance to us as
Transportation Managers?
Poor
Excellent
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Key Criteria:
1. Why are we listening?
2. Whats so important?
3. What have we learned?
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Northeastern University
SCHM6211 Transportation
Northeastern University