Master of Supply Chain Management (MSCM)
Course descriptions
Program: MSc
The course focuses on systematic treatments of linear statistical models for regression, analysis of variance and experimental design with special emphasis on applications in business and economics. Topics include regression analysis: inference, model building, diagnostics, remedial measures and validation; single-factor and two-factor ANOVA models, and analysis of covariance. Other statistical tools for specialized applications discussed may include logistic regression, path analysis and time series regression. Case studies are employed to illustrate tools for fitting, checking, validating and interpreting linear models.
Program: MSc
The seminar covers essential ideas and techniques for analyzing and extracting information from large amounts of data. The course begins with the discussion of ethical issues in business analytics. It discusses both supervised and unsupervised methods, and covers topics such as dimension reduction, classification and regression trees, K-nearset neighbors, neural networks, association rules and collaborative filtering, cluster analysis, ensemble methods, boosting and bagging, illustrations of the concepts and methods are given, and students gain practical experience in data mining with the use of popular data mining software.
Program: MSc
The MSc thesis requirement is intended to provide candidates with an opportunity to carry out an investigation in depth in a particular area of interest and to make a contribution to knowledge in the area. It is expected that the thesis will include a comprehensive and critical synthesis of the relevant literature and will also embody either a theoretical contribution to knowledge, a rigorous empirical investigation or both. A Thesis Committee consists of a faculty member as Supervisor and two other faculty members. An Examining Committee consists of the Thesis Committee and a Thesis Examination Chair appointed by the School’s MSc Director in accordance with the thesis regulations specified in the graduate calendar.
Program: MSCM
This seminar emphasizes the theoretical and practical aspects of advanced optimization modelling techniques in supply chain planning. Among the topics covered are network optimization, non-linear programming, stochastic programming, Markov processes and application of duality in developing decomposition-based solution approaches for large linear and integer models. Use of commercial modelling platform and optimization software are an integral part of this seminar.
Program: MSCM
This seminar covers the practices, techniques and regulations associated with sourcing and movement of materials in the global supply chains. Among the topics covered on sourcing are impact of globalization on sourcing, supplier evaluation and selection, supplier performance management, purchasing, electronic procurement, negotiations, contract law, supplier relationship management. Issues in global logistics are discussed in the second half of the seminar. Among the topics covered are distribution channels, warehousing, transportation management, reverse logistics, green logistics and sustainability, and cross-border issues in logistics. The coverage is supplemented by case studies and research articles.
Program: MSCM
Prerequisite: MSCM 681 or equivalent. This seminar focuses on managerial and modelling issues in supply chain design and coordination along the supply chain. Models in facility location, distribution networks and global supply chain networks are studied. The strategic aspects of supply chain design are discussed in terms of competitive drivers. The second part of the seminar deals with coordination issues. Among the concepts and models covered in this respect are supply chain contracts, collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment, bullwhip effect, postponement, and vendor managed inventory. Articles, case studies, optimization software and simulation game are used as part of seminar delivery.
Program: MSCM
The seminar presents advanced forecasting tools that assist market analysis, revenue management tools that optimize operational performance and approaches in building flexibilities to enhance manufacturing and organizational capabilities. Among the topics covered are advanced forecasting models, judgemental forecasting and adjustment, customer relationship management, consumer choice models, dynamic pricing, capacity control, network revenue management, manufacturing and organizational flexibilities. The seminar content is delivered via a combination of lectures, case analyses and research articles.
Program: MSCM
Prerequisite: MSCM 681 or equivalent. Strategies for managing the various risks along the supply chain are studied. Quantitative and qualitative approaches used in analyzing such risks and scenarios are covered. The seminar discusses risk identification and management, trade-offs in risk management, strategies for robustness, scenario planning, financial risks and disruption planning. The approaches used for modelling and analyzing the supply chain risks are presented through lectures, case analyses and research articles.
The selection of specialized seminars that are offered on a rotating basis, subject to the academic advisor’s approval and may vary from session to session.
Program: MSc
The objective of this seminar is to provide a basic understanding of the research process and a knowledge of the methods used in the design and execution of scientific research relevant to social sciences, and specifically the business context. The seminar helps students to develop skills needed to assess the feasibility and potential contribution of proposed studies, and to critically evaluate research reported by others. The application of relevant research methods are reviewed through discussions of exemplary articles published in leading journals. Cornerstone topics in this seminar include: theory construction, measurement, overview of data collection methods, reliability, as well as internal and external validity issues.
Prerequisites & notes
Students who have taken MSCA 612, MSCA 613, MSCA 614 or MSCA 616 may not take this seminar for credit.
Program: MSc
Theoretical and empirical issues on the valuation and the financial use of options and futures are studied in this seminar. The seminar begins with an introduction of the options and futures markets and proceeds with the developments of pricing models for evaluating these securities. Several different types of options and futures contracts (such as stock index options, options on debt instruments and currencies, interest rate and stock index futures) are introduced and strategies for using them for arbitrage, hedging, and speculative purposes are discussed.
Program: MSc
More than one topic can be offered under this course. In such cases, the name of the topic will be indicated on the class schedule (under Topic e.g. Financial institutions, Real Estate Finance, Investment and Derivatives).
Program: MSc
This course is a research-oriented seminar, in which we will explore a number of different theoretical perspectives on organizations and organizational environments. The primary aim of the seminar is to introduce students to an understanding of how organizational scholars have conceptualized and studied organizations as social systems and how these social systems interact with and are embedded in the context of an external environment. Particular attention is given to how organizations can be understood, both internally and in relation to the environment, as social structures composed of relationships, interdependencies, and social-cultural institutions. At the end of the seminar, students would have acquired a sophisticated understanding of the social and social cognitive context through which behaviour by people in organizations is both facilitated and constrained.
Program: MSc
More than one topic can be offered under this course. In such cases, the name of the topic will be indicated on the class schedule under Topic.
Program: MSc
This seminar acquaints students with well-known approaches to managerial decision-making and research in the area of Product Innovation and New Product Marketing. Analytical approaches presented in recent publications, combined with some important "classics", will be stressed. The course focuses primarily on new product development/marketing and covers a variety of topics, strategies, phases and analytical approaches relevant to this subject area. Specific topic areas include: innovation and new product development (NPD) strategies, the stages of the NPD process, new service development, and organization for NPD.
Program: MSc
Changes in topic will be indicated by the letter following this seminar number e.g., MSCA 672A, MSCA 672B, etc.
Program: MSc
The course is planned to provide students with practical knowledge of analyzing multivariate data arising in business applications and research. The multivariate methods of data analysis provide an effective approach to describe and understand structure and the relationships between variables of interest. A wide range of statistical methods most commonly used in practice is introduced. The topics covered include methods of dimensionality reduction to better visualize and understand complex data, structured approaches in studying inter-relationships between the measured variables, analysis of their dependency and various classification techniques. Extensions of the analyses of experimental design to include multi-dimensional responses are also considered. Examples from business and other disciplines are analyzed with the extensive use of statistical software. The focus of the course is on data analysis and results interpretation rather than mathematical theory of multivariate methods.
Program: MSc
This course covers the strategic management of information technology and investigates the potential of information technology to improve organizational competitive advantage. Students will be exposed to topics such as strategic alignment of information technology, information technology governance, impact of information technology on organizational transformation, strategic management of global information technology. Managerial responsibilities, strategies, and research issues are presented through readings, critiques, discussions, and presentations. With the knowledge acquired during this course, students will be able to meet the challenges of promoting the use of information technology as an authentic strategic asset.
*Please note that all course listing on this page is subject to change and that the content of the seminars may vary from a year to another. Current students should consult the graduate calendar or refer to their program team at msc.jmsb@concordia.ca for the most updated information.
