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New tech curriculum combines IT, logistics

Cougar News Services

For some time, universities have been able to adequately train students to work in separate environments for information technology and logistics, but they haven't always been good at combining expertise in both areas.

A new College of Technology curriculum, one of the first of its kind in the United States, will change that.

The curriculum, opening this fall, offers combined training in IT and logistics management to get industry professionals up to speed on ways to manage data while also optimizing a company's supply chain.

"Typically, professionals in both areas collaborate to deliver data solutions, but it is when each has an understanding of the other's goals, resources and technologies that solutions can become even more robust and effectively implemented," Robert Seaker, assistant professor of logistics technology, said in a press release.

Traditionally, IT is often taught from a perspective separate from planning and operations. UH's program, Seaker says, is one of the first that offers students a more holistic, combined approach. It's a growing trend at many schools around the country.

Seaker said graduates from this new program will be more attractive to businesses looking for people who can work with their IT or logistics department or collaborate with both.

"People understand that information is important, but it's typically taught separately from logistics," Seaker said. "The ability to deal with data in a real-world setting is not easy to do, but it's important to tackle that elephant in the room. We're presenting students with solutions for getting these various aspects to work together in an integrated sense."

Students in the information systems and logistics technology department will be able to choose a specialization in either straight operations or systems management.
 

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