Pre-experience programmes

The people in our team contribute to courses in both the Bachelor and the Master programmes, either as course coordinators, or as teachers on the courses of others.

Master

Most of our courses are part of the MSc programme Supply chain Management; https://www.rsm.nl/master/msc-programmes/msc-supply-chain-management/curriculum/.

Purchasing and Supply Management (RSM05SCM)

The objective of this core course is to provide students with the key concepts regarding purchasing and supply management. This course covers the whole purchasing cycle, including strategic, tactical, and operational purchasing activities. Specifically, we will focus on the reciprocal relationships between buyers and suppliers, differentiated purchasing (category) strategies, tactical as well as operational purchasing processes and organisational forms for purchasing. The course is coordinated by Prof. Dr. Finn Wynstra

Strategic Sourcing (RSMME065)

The objective of this master elective is to provide you with the opportunity to deepen your conceptual understanding and practical skills regarding strategic sourcing, using a mix of ‘state of the art’ theory and practical examples. Specifically, we focus on the strategic and tactical aspects of purchasing and supply, such as commodity strategy development (e.g. single vs. multiple sourcing), supplier selection and collaboration in product and business development. The course is coordinated by Erick Haag MSc.

Healthcare Procurement and Value Chain Management (GW4009Mx and BMME094)

In this course, we cover both purchasing of care and purchasing for care. We do not assume that all participants in this course aspire a career in purchasing. The approach is one of “purchasing for non-purchasers”, building on the notion that it becomes increasingly important for managers in health care institutions to understand the important role purchasing fulfils. Students from the Master programmes Healthcare Management and Zorgmanagement (both from the Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management), as well as Supply Chain Management share the classroom in this course. The course is coordinated by Prof. Dr. Erik van Raaij.

SCM Research Methodology and Design (GW4009Mx and BMME094)

In this course, we cover both purchasing of care and purchasing for care. We do not assume that all participants in this course aspire a career in purchasing. The approach is one of “purchasing for non-purchasers”, building on the notion that it becomes increasingly important for managers in health care institutions to understand the important role purchasing fulfils. Students from the Master programmes Healthcare Management and Zorgmanagement (both from the Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management), as well as Supply Chain Management share the classroom in this course. The course is coordinated by Prof. Dr. Erik van Raaij.

Research Methods and Skills (BMRM3SCM)

The Research Methods and Skills course for Master students of Supply Chain Management teaches students how to collect and analyse data, for empirical research. Students will also explore the research that aims to solve supply chain problems and build management theory. The course runs from October until end of January and prepares students for their thesis project. The course is coordinated by Prof. Dr. Erik van Raaij. 

Thesis projects

In the one-year MSc program on Supply Chain Management, students write an individual thesis. Many students choose to do so in the form of a ‘problem-solving’ internship with companies, public authorities or other organizations. These internships offer great opportunities for hosting organizations to address important and complex management problems, and to identify and help develop young talent.

Thesis internships are thus centered around specific improvement projects, and explicitly not suitable for job orientation or ‘job shadowing’ (‘meeloopstage’) – for that, RSM offers the Bachelor internships.

Process, scope and roles:

  • September – December:      organizations submit internship briefs
  • February – June:                   internship, thesis writing
  • Students are awarded 22 study credits for a thesis internship, which equals 620 hours or the equivalent of about 15 weeks fulltime work.
  • Hosting organizations are expected to provide a coach/sponsor who supports the thesis internship, in terms of goalsetting, feedback and providing access to the data that is required for the project.

When your organization is interested please send a one-pager that describes your organization, your PSM challenges, and the procedure for students to apply for the internship to scm@rsm.nl. After reviewing your internship, we will post it on our intranet for all SCM students to see.