Facts and figures
The programme at a glancePart of School
Programme information
What to expectThe minor covers the full supply chain spectrum. You will explore procurement, operations, and distribution management, with a strong focus on sustainability, analytics and practical decision‑making. Throughout the semester, you work on applied research cases and international project challenges.
The minor offers you an international community of around 50 young professionals from all over the world, who will build their long-lasting friendships through studying, playing and growing within an international business context.
Are you ready to tackle real-world challenges in international logistics and supply chain management? This minor prepares you to design and manage supply chains that can withstand disruptions and meet sustainability goals. You’ll learn how to make fast, informed decisions in a global context, skills that companies need now more than ever.
Courses included:
- Lean Six Sigma
- Operations
- Procurement
- Distribution Management
- Demand Chain Management
- Distribution Strategies
Programme Structure
Students work in international, multidisciplinary teams on applied research and consultancy‑style assignments. The programme combines theoretical concepts with simulations, casework and hands‑on tools used in the field. You will develop a complete set of analytical and professional skills relevant to modern supply chain roles.
Build up your network!
In our Minor programme, we host students from all over the world, because we are working with 80 different partner universities. In international business in particular, the importance of a well-maintained network cannot be over-emphasized. The contacts you will make during the semester, will broaden your network, and will help you with your future career.
Project‑based learning supported by lectures, workshops, case assignments and professional tools. You will apply methods such as Lean Six Sigma, network analysis, transport planning and demand‑driven supply chain modelling.
Next to the minor programme, we will offer each year a different variety of electives, including an optional study trip abroad to a major European city. By following the core courses and electives, you will achieve many different competences, very well appreciated in an international business environment.
Type of assessment
- Lean Six Sigma Training and assessment
- Portfolio report
- Case assignments
- Project Plan / Research proposal
- Project delivery
- Reflectio report
- Written exam
After completing this minor, you can:
- analyse and improve international supply chain processes.
- apply data‑driven and Lean Six Sigma methods.
- design sustainable and feasible logistics solutions.
- collaborate effectively in international, interdisciplinary teams.
- reflect on your professional performance in real project settings.
Block 1
| Week 1 | Introduction |
| Week 2 - 8 | Central lectures and workshops Working on project 1 |
| Week 9 | Assessment |
Block 2
| Week 1 | Introduction |
| Week 2 - 8 | Central lectures and workshops Working on project 2 |
| Week 9 | Assessment |
Blocks
Every school year is divided into two semesters. A fall semester (September – December/January) and a spring semester (February – June/July). Both semesters are divided into two blocks. Block 1 and 2 for the fall semester and block 3 and 4 for the spring semester.
After completing your exchange programme at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, you will receive a:
- Transcript of records
- Lean Six Sigma Certificate (Yellow belt, Green belt cs)
- SAP S4/HANA Training Certificate (Elective)
What makes this minor unique?
- Cased based learning: Work on real-life international projects and applied business cases.
- Industry-recognized certification: Earn your Lean Six Sigma Yellow, Green or Black Belt and SAP.
- Global perspective: Explore procurement, operations, and distribution strategies in an international business setting.
- International Business and Career Perspective: Lecturers with a track record and network with leadership firms in international business.
- Expert insights: Guest lectures from leading professionals and an international case competition.
Why choose this minor?
- Gain practical experience with real cases and projects.
- Build analytical and problem-solving skills for complex supply chain networks.
- Prepare for careers in logistics, supply chain management, and international business at industry leaders associated with this minor.
Subjects
An indication of the subjects you can expect
Block 1
-
Lean Six Sigma (5 ECTS)
Lean Six Sigma (5 ECTS)
Topics
- To apply a variety of analytical tools to multiple cases and simulations, designed to replicate real world challenges faced by logistics managers.
- The skills practiced contribute to the development of the student as a reflective practitioner, thereby further preparing them (the student) for the final thesis assignment at the end of their study.
Learning materials
-
Operations Management in the Supply Chain
Schroeder. Roger G.
Mcgraw-Hill Education, Edition 7
ISBN: 9 781 2600 83 460 -
Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
Robert M. Monczka, Robert B. Handfield, Larry C. Giunipero, James L. Patterson
Boston: Cengage Learning
ISBN: 978-1-285-86968-1
Learning outcomes
At the end of this module you will be able to:
- Identify, analyze, evaluate logistics related activities and /or processes inside organizations using the DMAIC methodology (and associated tooling) and provide recommendations on how to improve the aforementioned activities / processes;
- Create a professional report presenting their findings along the official RUAS International Business Communication rules;
- And have successfully completed the Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt training and obtained the corresponding certificate.
-
Operations ( 5 ECTS)
Operations ( 5 ECTS)
Topics
- Focus on major managerial issues in manufacturing management and the tools that can be used to manage them;
- Process design, capacity management, production planning and scheduling, supply chain management and inventory management
Learning materials
- Operations Management in the Supply Chain
Schroeder. Roger G.
Mcgraw-Hill Education, Edition 7
ISBN: 9 781 2600 83 460 - Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
Robert M. Monczka, Robert B. Handfield, Larry C. Giunipero, James L. Patterson
Boston: Cengage Learning
ISBN: 978-1-285-86968-1
Learning outcomes
At the end of this module you will be able to:
- The role of OM in the firm and how the OM function must be integrated with other functions to ensure organizational success;
- Different process designs for operations management;
- Capacity planning issues;
- The basic issues involved in inventory management;
- The general process of production planning to include aggregate planning and plant scheduling;
- Forecasting methods and challenges to and solutions for effective forecasting;
- Basic importance of MRP systems and lean thinking.
-
Distribution Management (5 ECTS)
Distribution Management (5 ECTS)
Topics
- Research course, examining possible innovative concepts/solutions for solving problems with distribution in portal cities, like (the Port of) Rotterdam.
Examination of
- Blockchain in the maritime industry
- Sharing Economy in Logistics
- Synchromodal Supply Chains
Learning materials
- Operations Management in the Supply Chain
Schroeder. Roger G.
Mcgraw-Hill Education, Edition 7
ISBN: 9 781 2600 83 460 - Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
Robert M. Monczka, Robert B. Handfield, Larry C. Giunipero, James L. Patterson
Boston: Cengage Learning
ISBN: 978-1-285-86968-1
Learning outcomes
At the end of this module you will be able to:
- Understand the concepts of Blockchain, Sharing Logistics and Synchromodality is and how they can help solve problems in supply chains in the Port of Rotterdam;
- Set up a valid and reliable applied research about Blockchain, Sharing Logistics and Synchromodality;
- Perform data collection;
- Analyse the collected data;
- Write a well-founded research proposal for further research based on the results of the analysis.
- Research course, examining possible innovative concepts/solutions for solving problems with distribution in portal cities, like (the Port of) Rotterdam.
Block 2
-
Demand Chain Management (5 ECTS)
Demand Chain Management (5 ECTS)
Topics
- Solving an international supply chain management case in a structured way using a problem solving method like DMAIC. The DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control) problem solving method is a step-by-step problem-solving methodology used by many international (Lean Six Sigma) companies.
Learning materials
- Operations Management in the Supply Chain
Schroeder. Roger G.
Mcgraw-Hill Education, Edition 7
ISBN: 9 781 2600 83 460 - Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
Robert M. Monczka, Robert B. Handfield, Larry C. Giunipero, James L. Patterson
Boston: Cengage Learning
ISBN: 978-1-285-86968-1
Learning outcomes
At the end of this module you will be able to:
- Transfer a real-life logistics related business issue (as described in a project charter) into an executable project plan (incl. research plan) with clear scope, smart goals, deliverables, deadlines cs;
- Execute and manage a project plan (solving the business issues as laid down in the project charter), deliver the final project deliverables to the set quality expectations and pitch/present findings and recommendations to the various stakeholders;
- Collaborate effectively with different kinds of stakeholders in different cultural, organisational and political landscapes to contribute to achieving agreed project goals.
-
Procurement (5 ECTS)
Procurement (5 ECTS)
Topics
- How do organisations buy their materials and services?
- How does evolution of activities, technology and globalisation trends affect procurement?
Learning materials
- Operations Management in the Supply Chain
Schroeder. Roger G.
Mcgraw-Hill Education, Edition 7
ISBN: 9 781 2600 83 460 - Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
Robert M. Monczka, Robert B. Handfield, Larry C. Giunipero, James L. Patterson
Boston: Cengage Learning
ISBN: 978-1-285-86968-1
Learning outcomes
At the end of this module you will be able to understand:
- The role of Procurement of a firm and how these activities must be integrated with other functions to ensure organizational success;
- Different process designs in and between companies;
- Capacity planning issues in and between companies;
- The general process of planning to include aggregate planning and plant scheduling;
- The principles of quality management;
- The principles of the Total Cost of Ownership;
- The concepts of Outsourcing, Off-shoring, and Re-shoring.
-
Distribution Strategies (5 ECTS)
Distribution Strategies (5 ECTS)
Topics
- Apply a variety of analytical tools to multiple cases and simulations, designed to replicate real world challenges faced by logistics managers.
- The skills practiced contribute to the development of the student as a reflective practitioner, thereby further preparing them (the student) for the final thesis assignment at the end of their study.
Learning materials
- Operations Management in the Supply Chain
Schroeder. Roger G.
Mcgraw-Hill Education, Edition 7
ISBN: 9 781 2600 83 460 - Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
Robert M. Monczka, Robert B. Handfield, Larry C. Giunipero, James L. Patterson
Boston: Cengage Learning
ISBN: 978-1-285-86968-1
Learning outcomes
At the end of this module you will be able to:
- Identify and define logistical problems in an organization at a tactical, operational and strategic level;
- Describe the context of logistical problems in an organization and select an appropriate method of investigation into the defined problem;
- Apply appropriate analytical tools to analyse and evaluate situations, processes and problems within the logistics activities in organisations.
Practical matters
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