At which campus can I study this program?
Begin Campus
Any Penn State Campus
End Campus
University Park
Program Description
The Supply Chain and Information Systems major concentrates on the management of value-creating supply chain networks that modern business enterprises use to acquire, produce, and deliver goods and services all over the world and on information technology as the key enabler of supply chain integration. Students learn how to analyze and design supply chains and manage core business processes including (1) sourcing and procuring raw materials, (2) manufacturing and service operations, and (3) planning and fulfilling customer demand. Students also develop knowledge, skills, and abilities in the information systems area, including information processing, databases, information systems design and analysis, and supply chain technologies.
Graduates are well-prepared for careers in the supply chain and information systems area in both industry and government, including manufacturing, service, technology, and merchandising companies, third-party logistics providers, transport system enterprises, consulting firms, and government agencies.
More information about the broad range of career opportunities is available at http://www.smeal.psu.edu/scis/recruit.
What is Supply Chain and Information Systems?
Supply Chain and Information Systems (SCIS) is a boundary-spanning field of supply chain networks. A supply chain encompasses business functions and enterprises interconnected by resource flows of goods, services, information, and funds. Supply chain management spans these interconnected networks to acquire, produce, and deliver goods and services in our global economy.
Students selecting the SCIS major develop excellent knowledge and skills in three critically important areas:
- Core flow functions, which include source, make, deliver, and return.
- The role of information systems as the critical enabler for integrating supply chains.
- The cross-functional planning perspectives that span core functions, customer relationships, post-sales support, and new product design and launches.
SCIS emphasizes real world content and exposure to best practices from internships, case studies, visiting business leaders, industry partnerships, company-sponsored research projects, study abroad opportunities, and professional development workshops.
Entrance to Major
To be eligible for entrance into the Supply Chain and Information Systems (SC&IS) major, a degree candidate must be enrolled in the Smeal College of Business or the Division of Undergraduate Studies and satisfy requirements for entrance to the major.
Administrative Enrollment Controls
This program currently has administrative enrollment controls. Administrative Enrollment Controls are initiated when limitations of space, faculty, or other resources in a major prevent accommodating all students who request them. Students must follow the administrative enrollment controls that are in effect for the semester that they enter the university.
First-Year Students Entering Summer 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024
In order to be eligible for entrance to this major, students must satisfy the following requirements:
- 36-59 graded Penn State credits (excludes transfer and AP credits)
- completed with a grade of C or better:
- English - ENGL15 or ENGL30H or ESL15 or ENGL137H or CAS137H
- Mathematics - MATH110 or MATH140 or MATH140B
- Statistics - SCM200 or SCM200H or STAT200
- completed ECON102 or ECON102H
- completed at Penn State (no substitutions or transfers), in addition with a quality grade of "C" or better and no alternative or Pass/Fail (PS) grading:
- Accounting - ACCTG211 or ACCTG211H
- Management - MGMT301 or MGMT301H or MGMT301M or MGMT301W
- Marketing - MKTG301 or MKTG301H or MKTG301W
- Finance - FIN301 or FIN301H
- earned a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.20
Students Who Entered Prior to Summer 2023
Students who entered the University from Summer 2018 through Spring 2023 should view the administrative enrollment controls in the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin archive. Students who entered the University prior to the summer 2018 semester should consult with their academic adviser about the administrative enrollment controls in effect for the semester they entered the university.
Degree Completion
Students accepted into the Supply Chain and Information Systems major are expected to enroll at University Park the fall semester after gaining entrance to the major. In addition, Senate Policy 83-80.5 stipulates that the college dean and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken in the college where the degree is earned. Based on this policy, the Smeal College of Business has set the following credit earning limitations for SCIS majors:
- Fifteen credits of 300/400 level prescribed and additional courses in the major field must be completed with Supply Chain and Information Systems faculty at University Park.
- Nine additional credits of 300/400 level related and supporting courses must also be completed at University Park. See the Supply Chain and Information Systems Suggested Academic Plan for details.
Degree Requirements
For the Bachelor of Science degree in Supply Chain and Information Systems, a minimum of 120 credits is required with at least 15 credits at the 400 level:
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Education | 45 |
| Electives | 14 |
| Requirements for the Major | 73 |
12 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major.This includes: 3 credits of GWS courses (ENGL202D); 6 credits of GQ courses (MATH110 or MATH140 and SCM200 or STAT200); 3 credits of GS courses (ECON102).
Requirements for the Major
To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn a grade of C or better in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| BA342 | Socially Responsible, Sustainable and Ethical Business Practice | 3 |
| BA411 | Analyzing Business and Industry | 3 |
| BLAW341 | Business Law I: Introduction to Contracts, Liability Issues, and Intellectual Property | 3 |
| ECON102 | Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy  | 3 |
| ECON104 | Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy | 3 |
| MIS250 | Introduction to Problem Solving with Spreadsheet Analysis and Information Systems Management | 3 |
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| ACCTG211 | Financial and Managerial Accounting for Decision Making | 4 |
| ENGL202D | Effective Writing: Business Writing | 3 |
| FIN301 | Corporation Finance | 3 |
| MGMT301 | Basic Management Concepts | 3 |
| MKTG301 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| SCM301 | Supply Chain Management | 3 |
| SCM404 | Demand Fulfillment | 3 |
| SCM405 | Manufacturing and Services Strategies | 3 |
| SCM406 | Strategic Procurement | 3 |
| SCM421 | Supply Chain Analytics | 3 |
| SCM450W | Strategic Design and Management of Supply Chains | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| MATH110 | Techniques of Calculus I | 4 |
| orMATH140 | Calculus With Analytic Geometry I | |
| SCM200 | Introduction to Statistics for Business | 4 |
| orSTAT200 | Elementary Statistics | |
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Attainment of 12th-credit-level proficiency in a single foreign language. Proficiency must be demonstrated by either examination or coursework. | 4 | |
| Select 3 credits of related coursework. See Department List. | 3 | |
| Select 6 credits of supporting coursework See Department List. | 6 | |
General Education
Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.
The keystone symbol appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.
Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)
- Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
- Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
Breadth in the Knowledge Domains (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)
- Arts (GA): 3 credits
- Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
- Humanities (GH): 3 credits
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits
Integrative Studies
- Inter-Domain Courses (Inter-Domain): 6 credits
Exploration
- GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits
- GA, GH, GN, GS, Inter-Domain courses. This may include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the 12th credit level or the requirements for the student’s degree program, whichever is higher: 6 credits
University Degree Requirements
First Year Engagement
All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.
Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.
First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.
Cultures Requirement
6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements
- United States Cultures: 3 credits
- International Cultures: 3 credits
Writing Across the Curriculum
3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.
Total Minimum Credits
A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.
Quality of Work
Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.
Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition
The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
University Park
Advising Center
Smeal College Undergraduate Education
202 Business Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-1947
SmealAdvising@smeal.psu.edu
Suggested Academic Plan
The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2023-24 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition (Note: the archive only contains suggested academic plans beginning with the 2018-19 edition of the Undergraduate Bulletin).
Supply Chain and Information Systems, B.S. at University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PSU6 | 1 | MGMT3011,2 | 3 |
| (MATH 110 or MATH 140) or (SCM 200 or STAT 200) (GQ)1,2 | 4 | (SCM 200 or STAT 200) or (MATH 110 or MATH 140) (GQ)1,2 | 4 |
| ENGL15, 30H, ESL 15, ENGL 137H, or CAS 137H1,2 | 3 | World Language - Level Two3 | 4 |
| ECON102 (GS)2 | 3 | General Education Course (US)4 | 3 |
| World Language - Level One3 | 4 | ||
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MKTG3011,2 | 3 | FIN3011,2 | 3 |
| ACCTG2111,2 | 4 | SCM3011 | 3 |
| ECON104 | 3 | CAS100, ENGL 138T, or CAS 138T1 | 3 |
| World Language - Level Three3 | 4 | MIS2501 | 3 |
| General Education Course (IL)4 | 3 | General Education Course4 | 3 |
| 17 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SCM404 or 4051 | 3 | SCM405 or 4041 | 3 |
| ENGL202D1 | 3 | SCM4061 | 3 |
| BLAW341 or BA 342 | 3 | BA342 or BLAW 341 | 3 |
| Two-Piece Sequence5 | 3 | General Education Course4 | 3 |
| General Education Course (N)4 | 3 | General Education Course4 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SCM4211 | 3 | SCM450W1 | 3 |
| BA411 (or Supply Chain Related Area)5 | 3 | BA411 (or Supply Chain Related Area)5 | 3 |
| General Education Course4 | 3 | Two-Piece Sequence5 | 3 |
| General Education Course (Z)4 | 3 | General Education Course4 | 3 |
| Elective4 | 2 | Elective4 | 3 |
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
- 1
Course requires a grade of C or better
- 2
Entrance-to-Major Course – complete prior to attaining 59 cumulative credits at Penn State
- 3
Attain 12th credit level proficiency in a world language (0-12 credits). Credits required vary based on predetermined skill level. Balance of remaining credits are taken as electives.
- 4
When planning general education and elective courses, students should factor in the following requirements:
- 3 credits of United States Culture (US)
- 3 credits of International Culture (IL)
- 6 credits of Inter-Domain (N) and/or Linked (Z) coursework
- 5
See the Related Area and Two-Piece Sequence list on the Supply Chain website.
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL137H/CAS137H in the fall semester and ENGL138T/CAS138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL15/ENGL30H and CAS100A/CAS100B/CAS100C. Each course is 3 credits.
College and Department Notes:
- The Smeal College of Business requires that the following entrance-to-major courses be taken at Penn State: ACCTG211, MGMT301, MKTG301, and FIN301.
- Pursuant to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation standards, the Smeal College of Business requires that all upper division courses within the departments sponsoring the major be completed in residence at University Park under the instruction of Smeal College faculty.
Supply Chain and Information Systems, B.S. at Commonwealth Campuses
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| First-Year Seminar (if required by Campus) | 1-0 | MGMT3011,2 | 3 |
| (MATH 110 or MATH 140) or (SCM 200 or STAT 200) (GQ)1,2 | 4 | (SCM 200 or STAT 200) or (MATH 110 or MATH 140) (GQ)1,2 | 4 |
| ENGL15, 30H, ESL 15, ENGL 137H, or CAS 137H1,2 | 3 | World Language - Level Two3 | 4 |
| ECON102 (GS)2 | 3 | General Education Course (US)4 | 3 |
| World Language - Level One3 | 4 | ||
| 15-14 | 14 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MKTG3011,2 | 3 | FIN3011,2 | 3 |
| ACCTG2111,2 | 4 | ENGL202D1 | 3 |
| ECON104 | 3 | CAS100, ENGL 138T, or CAS 138T1 | 3 |
| World Language - Level Three3 | 4 | SCM3011 | 3 |
| General Education Course (IL)4 | 3 | General Education Course4 | 3 |
| 17 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SCM404 or 4051 | 3 | SCM405 or 4041 | 3 |
| MIS2501 | 3 | SCM4061 | 3 |
| BLAW341 or BA 342 | 3 | BA342 or BLAW 341 | 3 |
| Two-Piece Sequence5 | 3 | General Education Course4 | 3 |
| General Education Course (N)4 | 3 | General Education Course4 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SCM4211 | 3 | SCM450W1 | 3 |
| BA411 (or Supply Chain Related Area)5 | 3 | BA411 (or Supply Chain Related Area)5 | 3 |
| General Education Course4 | 3 | Two-Piece Sequence5 | 3 |
| General Education Course (Z)4 | 3 | General Education Course4 | 3 |
| Elective4 | 2-3 | Elective4 | 3 |
| 14-15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
- 1
Course requires a grade of C or better
- 2
Entrance-to-Major Course – complete prior to attaining 59 cumulative credits at Penn State
- 3
Attain 12th credit level proficiency in a world language (0-12 credits). Credits required vary based on predetermined skill level. Balance of remaining credits are taken as electives.
- 4
When planning general education and elective courses, students should factor in the following requirements:
- 3 credits of United States Culture (US)
- 3 credits of International Culture (IL)
- 6 credits of Inter-Domain (N) and/or Linked (Z) coursework
- 5
See the Related Area and Two-Piece Sequence list on the Supply Chain website.
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
College and Department Notes:
- The Smeal College of Business requires that the following entrance-to-major courses be taken at Penn State: ACCTG211, MGMT301, MKTG301, and FIN301.
- Pursuant to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation standards, the Smeal College of Business requires that all upper division courses within the departments sponsoring the major be completed in residence at University Park under the instruction of Smeal College faculty.
Career Paths
Students majoring in Supply Chain and Information Systems (SCIS_BS) gain knowledge, skills, and expertise to manage multiple facets of organization and businesses. Students have access to the Center for Supply Chain Research (CSCR), which provides opportunities for student research with over 35 companies. In addition, the CSCR sponsors a Spring and Fall Career Fair, which boasts over 6,000 total student/recruiter interactions between the five career fair days held during the academic year.
SCIS_BS graduates have opportunities to work in fields including production, logistics, transportation, and more. The SCIS Department at Smeal provides a dedicated job placement services office for students. Companies recruiting majors represent both the services sector (consulting, retail, and health care industries) and the manufacturing sector (computer, aerospace, pharmaceutical, electronics, petrochemical, auto, food, and consumer products industries).
Accreditation
The Smeal College of Business B.S. degree in Supply Chain and Information Systems (SCIS_BS) is recognized by the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) as an accredited program after completing a meticulous internal review and meeting all AACSB standards and requirements.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION TO ADVANCE COLLEGIATE SCHOOLS OF BUSINESS
Contact
University Park
DEPARTMENT OF SUPPLY CHAIN AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
454 Business Building
814-865-1866
scis@smeal.psu.edu
https://www.smeal.psu.edu/scis
Ask A Question: https://directory.smeal.psu.edu/contact/scis
