Logistics is involved in every stage of the journey of goods and services, from the sourcing of raw materials to their delivery to the end user and even beyond. In this sense, logistics has existed since the earliest days of human civilization. It would not be an exaggeration to say that wherever there is a need for a product or service, there is logistics. Its scope includes activities such as sourcing raw materials, transporting products, warehousing, packaging, labeling, customs clearance, delivering goods to retail shelves or directly to customers, managing returns, and handling the disposal or recycling of products at the end of their life cycle.
Warehousing involves decisions such as selecting the appropriate warehouse location, designing storage systems, organizing operational processes, and planning receiving and dispatch areas. Transportation includes determining the most suitable transport mode and vehicles, as well as conducting cost analyses. Procurement focuses on sourcing strategies, procurement processes, and supplier management. Throughout these activities, logistics also requires the effective use of technology, compliance with legal regulations, and the implementation of sustainable and environmentally responsible practices to ensure that products and services are available at the right place, at the right time, and with the required specifications. As such, logistics is an interdisciplinary field that integrates knowledge from numerous disciplines.
With the rapid advancement of communication technologies and the increasing mobility of goods and people, logistics has evolved from a primarily national function into a global one. Today, logistics activities account for a significant portion of total product costs. Businesses therefore seek not only to optimize their internal logistics processes but also to develop regional and global supply chain strategies that enhance competitiveness and create sustainable competitive advantages.
The logistics sector in Türkiye has experienced rapid growth, outpacing many other industries. As a result, there is a growing demand for well-educated professionals with expertise in logistics and supply chain management. Industry representatives widely agree that this demand will continue to increase. In today's business environment, competition increasingly takes place between supply chains rather than individual companies. Effective supply chain management and logistics efficiency are therefore essential for reducing costs while improving service quality.
For logistics to serve as a strategic competitive advantage, managers must understand its role within the supply chain and master its core functions through sound economic, scientific, technological, and operational knowledge.
Based on this understanding, the Department of Logistics Management was established in the 2011–2012 academic year and welcomed its first cohort of students under the Logistics Management program.
The curriculum is designed to provide students with specialized expertise in logistics through compulsory courses while also offering a broad university education through elective courses that enable them to approach logistics from interdisciplinary perspectives.
To strengthen students' understanding of logistics, the curriculum combines courses in economics, business administration, law, and statistics with advanced professional subjects such as supply chain management, quantitative methods in logistics, inventory management, procurement and contract management, transportation, intermodal operations, transportation modes, strategic logistics management, supply chain modeling, supply chain risk management, transportation insurance, port management and customs, logistics information systems, quality management in logistics, and the transportation of dangerous goods. The program also requires two compulsory internships: the first after the second year and the second after the third year.
The Department aims to train graduates who possess comprehensive knowledge of every aspect of logistics; who are capable of acquiring advanced expertise when needed; who can identify, analyze, and solve logistics-related problems; who have strong knowledge of inventory management, warehousing, transportation, procurement, customs, insurance, and supply chain management; who are proficient in the computer software used in the logistics industry; who receive their education in English; and who have the ability and motivation to continue learning and developing professionally throughout their careers.
