Supply Chain Fundamentals

CTL.SC1x Supply Chain Fundamentals is the first course in the MITx MicroMasters Program in Supply Chain Management, run by the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics on MITx Online. It teaches the foundational skills for supply chain management and logistics by introducing the analytical tools and techniques used to design and operate logistics systems and integrated supply chains. Through mathematical models, hands-on applications and industry examples, the course concentrates on three functions: demand forecasting, inventory management, and transportation planning and execution, with the stated aim of improving supply chain performance and reducing total cost. By the end you should be able to manage uncertainty and risk, segment customers, products and channels, choose and implement forecasting methods and inventory replenishment policies, and select transportation routing and modes.

The course is instructor-paced: content is released weekly and the syllabus, deadlines and requirements are given in Week 0. MIT estimates 13 weeks at 8 to 12 hours per week. It is open enrolment and free to audit, giving access to the course and its materials. The certificate track, priced at $299 on the course page, adds graded assignments and exams and an MIT certificate on completion, and is the route to MicroMasters credit.