• Session 1: Lecture (Introduction)

• Session 2: Lecture / case study presentation

• Session 3: Lecture / case study presentation

• Session 4: Lecture / case study presentation

• Session 5: In-class case study

• Session 6: Student paper presentations / research presentation

• Session 7: Student paper presentations / research presentation

This course deals with the topic of humanitarian supply chains. It starts with an introduction into the basics and fundamental concepts of humanitarian logistics. The main challenges of disaster relief operations are discussed and the main differences to logistics in a business environment are described. While the second session is focused on the preparedness phase of a disaster, the third session will be devoted to the disaster response phase. In the fourth session, different recent research areas are discussed (Multi-objective optimization, Needs Assessment).

After successful completion of this course, students will be able to reflect upon basic and advanced concepts in the area of humanitarian logistics and their application in practice. They have an understanding of different modelling approaches that can support decision making in the humanitarian context. Furthermore, students can critically assess and discuss results of such models. Finally, they prepare presentations on special topics in the area of humanitarian supply chain management and thus improve the ability to present and discuss their work.

Attendance requirement is met if a student is present for at least 80% of the lectures.

This course has the character of a seminar. The students have to prepare case studies and research articles beforehand and the contents of these are discussed in class. In the second half of the course student teams will present and critically evaluate research papers on special topics of humanitarian supply chains.

There are in total four sessions on defined contents, one session for an in-class case study and two sessions for final presentations including input from the lecturers. The final grade is composed of the following:

• Case study assessment (handout max. 2 pages, 10%) and presentation (group, 15%)
• In class repetitions (individual, 4x10%, in total 40% )
• Discussions (group, 5%) (Each paper presentation group is assigned to be a discussion group at another groups' presentation, responsible for )
• Paper presentation (teams of two, 15%) (30min presentation, 15 min discussion guided by discussion group)
• Written evaluation of the papers (teams of three, max. 6 pages, 15%)

Grading Scale

(1) Excellent: 90% - 100%

(2) Good: 80% - <90%

(3) Satisfactory: 70% - <80%

(4) Sufficient: 60% - <70%

(5) Fail: <60%

Incoming students (exchange programs): min 10 ECTS credits in transport, logistics and/or supply chain management.