Supply Chain and Information Systems

Learn about Smeal's Supply Chain and Information Systems major. Gain information about activities, careers, and faculty.

Contact Information

Smeal College of Business
The Pennsylvania State University
454 Business Building
University Park, PA 16802

Phone: 814-865-1866
Email: scis@smeal.psu.edu
On the Web: https://www.smeal.psu.edu/scis

Supply Chain and Information Systems Handout

Supply Chain and Information Systems Major Video

Career Overview

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.

Employment Prospects

Students majoring in Supply Chain and Information Systems (SCIS) gain knowledge, skills, and expertise to manage

multiple facets of organizations and businesses. They become leaders in acquiring, producing, and delivering goods around the world. They are experts at integrating people, processes, and informational technology in order to produce successful supply chains. SCIS graduates have opportunities to work in fields including production, logistics, transportation, and more. Students majoring in Supply Chain and Information Systems (SCIS) have access to the Smeal Business Career Center. More information can be found at: careerconnections.smeal.psu.edu/channels/supply-chain-information-systems.

In addition to job-placement services, the department partners with the Center for Supply Chain Research (CSCR) in hosting a fall and spring career fair attended by more than 100 companies.

Major Overview

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.

Preparing to Enroll in the Major

Enrollment in the SCIS major is contingent upon several criteria, which include the timing and completion of a specified range of cumulative credits at Penn State. Students apply for the major once they have earned a minimum of 40 but no more than 59 cumulative credits. These credits include required business foundation and related courses. In addition to the course and credit window requirements, students must attain an overall competitive GPA in all courses.

SCIS Major Requirements

Complete all of the following Supply Chain Management (SCM) courses (15 credits). A grade of “C” or better is required in all SCM courses, including SCM 301:

SCM 404 (3) Demand Fulfillment (Prerequisite: SCM 301)

SCM 405 (3) Manufacturing and Service Strategies (Prerequisite: SCM 301)

SCM 406 (3) Strategic Procurement (Prerequisite: SCM 301)

SCM 421 (3) Supply Chain Modeling and Analysis (Prerequisite: SCM 404 or 405 or 406)

SCM 450W (3) Design and Management of Supply Chains (Prerequisite: SCM 421)

Select a Two-Piece Sequence (6 credits) from one of the areas below or complete a designated University minor.

  • Accounting
  • Business Law
  • Business Sustainability
  • Corporate Diversity
  • Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Information Systems Management (ISM)
  • International Business
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Real Estate
  • Risk Management

SCIS Highlights

Consider some of the other factors that help to enhance the environment for SCIS students at the Smeal College of Business.

Top Ranked

Penn State and Smeal have consistently received top rankings from employers. Recruiters surveyed by Bloomberg Businessweek have continually ranked Smeal in the top ten in recent years, and the SCIS program is ranked No. 3 according to Gartner, Inc., a technology research firm that ranks the top supply chain companies in the world and the top 25 supply chain universities in the U.S.

Student Events

The SCIS Department hosts a variety of student events each year, including fall and spring career fairs and career exploration sessions for SCIS majors. First-year and second-year students can also learn more about majors, careers, and involvement opportunities at Explore Smeal.

Information Systems Management (ISM) Minor

The ISM minor focuses on technology-supported techniques for exploring, analyzing, integrating, and reporting business data to facilitate fact-based decisions. The coursework enables students to study basic concepts, principles, and methods for business analytics and to gain an understanding of the best practices for aligning IT-supported analytics with business strategy. SCIS students with a strong understanding of business analytics are highly sought after by recruiters.

Key Department Contacts

Department Chair

Kevin Linderman
Email: kfl5390@psu.edu

Assistant Chair

Norm Aggon
Email: nxa12@psu.edu