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Business Administration - Purchasing and Supply Management
| Program Code: | BAO |
| Campus: | Newnham, Markham |
| Duration: | 6 Semesters (3 Years) |
| Start Dates: | Summer, Fall, Winter, Start dates are subject to change |
| Credential Awarded: | Ontario College Advanced Diploma |
Program Description
Finding success in today’s multi–dimensional workplace requires strong management skills. In the Business Administration – Purchasing and Supply Management program, you’ll focus on the management function, building the skills and concepts necessary to develop into a successful manager.
At the School of Business Management (SBM), you’ll spend the first four semesters building a practical grounding in contemporary management theory. These four semesters are common to all SBM programs.
Your final two semesters will be spent gaining the essential tools necessary to manage the supply base of an organization. Upon graduation you will understand how the increasing strategic nature of purchasing influences other major functional areas. Courses in Enterprise Resource Planning, Quality, Inventory Management, Purchasing, and Logistics will equip you with concrete skills to take to your future employer.
You'll also benefit from our relationships with a variety of employers who help keep the program (and your skills) up to date and relevant to the demands of today's organizations. Students with the desire and the minimum G.P.A. requirement will have the opportunity to participate in a field placement program to gain practical work experience in the supply chain field.
Your learning is enhanced through seminars, plant tours, case analysis, and business simulations.
Admission Requirements
Program Eligibility:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma with a majority of senior credits at the College Preparation (C), University Preparation (U) or University/College Preparation (M) level or Mature Student Status (age 19 or older)
- Grade 12 English: ENG4(C) or ENG4(U)
- Grade 12 Mathematics: (C) or (U) or Grade 11 Mathematics (U) or (M)
Applicant Selection:
- Applicant grades in pre–requisite subjects (or their equivalents) will be used as a basis for the selection of candidates.
Desirable:
- Basic proficiency in word processing, preferably Microsoft Word.
The Importance of Learning Skills:
Student success in college requires well developed learning skills (such as being able to work independently, participate in a team, be well–organized, develop good work habits, and show initiative). These skills are as important as prior academic achievement. While it is expected that applicants would have developed these skills through previous education and life experiences, Seneca offers support to assist students with further development of these important skills. Seminars, workshops and tutoring are available at Seneca's Learning Centres.
Fees
Your Career
After studying in the Business Administration – Purchasing and Supply Management program, you’ll be able to offer employers specialized skills related to supply chain, purchasing and inventory control and management. Expect to begin a career in purchasing, supply chain management, or logistics, working for government, profit and not–for–profit organizations.
Certificate in Management and Administration (C.I.M.)
In 2009, Seneca became the first institution in Canada to have full–time programs accredited by the Canadian Institute of Management (C.I.M.).
Upon graduation from the Business Administration – Purchasing and Supply Management program you will have met all the requirements for the C.I.M. designation once you have completed two years of managerial work experience and made appropriate application to the Canadian Institute of Management.
Canadian Professional Sales Association (CPSA)
Upon graduation you will have completed all requirements and can make application to CPSA to receive a Certificate of Professional Sales from the Canadian Professional Sales Association. You will also have met all the educational requirements for the CPSA’s professional designation – Certified Sales Professional CSP.
Certification and Partnerships
The Business Administration – Purchasing and Supply Management program has developed strong partnerships with two leading industry certification bodies. Through our partnership with the Purchasing Managers Association of Canada (PMAC) you will receive a free membership, and opportunities to participate in networking events and attend conferences and workshops with the Ontario Institute of PMAC. This is an invaluable chance for you to meet and network with professionals in the field.
In addition, you have the opportunity to join the Seneca Student Chapter of the Association for Operations Management (APICS), an International Organization that offers field trips to local facilities and networking opportunities with guest speakers from various industries. There are leadership positions available with the APICS Student Chapter, as well as the chance to apply for a scholarship to attend the International APICS Conference. Students in the APICS Executive coordinate the Résumé Package for graduating students.
Diploma to Degree... and Beyond
Through transfer agreements and institution partnerships, graduates of this Seneca College program may be eligible for credit at the following post-secondary institution(s):
Toronto
| University/College | Degrees Available |
|---|---|
| Ryerson University | • Bachelor of Commerce, Business Management – Direct Entry Program • Bachelor of Commerce, Business Technology Management – Degree Completion program |
| Seneca College | • Bachelor of Commerce, International Accounting and Finance • Bachelor of Commerce, Financial Services Management • Bachelor of Commerce, Human Resources Strategy and Technology • Bachelor of Commerce, Business Management • Bachelor of Commerce, International Business Management |
| Tyndale University College | • Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration or Business Administration – International Development |
| York University | • Bachelor of Administrative Studies (BAS) |
Ontario
| University/College | Degrees Available |
|---|---|
| Algoma University | • Bachelor of Business Administration |
| Lakehead University | • Bachelor of Administration (3 year) or Honours Bachelor of Commerce (4 year) |
| Laurentian University | • Honours Bachelor of Commerce |
| Nipissing University | • Bachelor of Business Administration |
| University of Ontario Institute of Technology | • Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) - Direct Entry |
| University of Ottawa | • Bachelor of Commerce |
| University of Windsor | • Bachelor of Commerce – Honours Business Administration |
Canada
| University/College | Degrees Available |
|---|---|
| University Canada West | • Bachelor of Commerce |
| Okanagan College | • Bachelor of Business Administration |
| Royal Roads University | • Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurial Management |
U.S.
| University/College | Degrees Available |
|---|---|
| University at Buffalo | • Bachelor of Science in Business Administration |
| D'Youville College | • BSc – Accounting or Management |
| Davenport University | • BBA - Management or BBA/MBA - Strategic Management |
| Northwood University | • Bachelor – Business Administration, Marketing, Management or Accounting |
| Robert Morris University | • Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science (BSBA) |
International
| University/College | Degrees Available |
|---|---|
| AUT University | • Bachelor of Business – any major dependent on courses taken at Seneca |
| Birmingham City University | • BA (Hons) Business Administration |
Curriculum
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Semester 1 | Subject Name | Hrs/Wk |
|---|---|---|
| BUS106 | Business - Its Nature and Environment | 4 |
| EAC150 | College English | 3 |
| ICA001 | Introduction to Computers and Applications | 2 |
| MRK108 | Introduction to Marketing | 3 |
| QNM106 | Mathematics of Finance | 4 |
| SSC100 | Success Strategies for College | 2 |
| Semester 2 | Subject Name | Hrs/Wk |
| ACC106 | Accounting I | 4 |
| MGS350 | Management Studies: Canadian Business Law | 4 |
| MRK213 | Foundations of Strategic Marketing and Planning | 4 |
| SMS202 | Microcomputer Business Applications II | 3 |
| XXXXXX | General Education Option | 3 |
| Semester 3 | Subject Name | Hrs/Wk |
| ACC212 | Financial Analysis | 4 |
| EAC394 | Effective Business Writing | 3 |
| MRK320 | Marketing: Effective Selling | 4 |
| MSC310 | Decision Analysis I | 4 |
| XXXXXX | General Education Option | 3 |
| Curriculum - BAO | ||
| Semester 4 | Subject Name | Hrs/Wk |
| BUS206 | Business Management | 4 |
| BUS400 | Business Economics | 3 |
| IBM600 | International Business Management | 4 |
| OPM400 | Production and Operations Management - Manufacturing and Services |
4 |
| XXXXXX | General Education Option | 3 |
| Semester 5 | Subject Name | Hrs/Wk |
| MGS521 | Business Ethics and Values | 4 |
| OPM500 | Business Logistics - Supply Chain Management | 4 |
| OPM600 | Purchasing and Materials Management | 4 |
| OPM610 | Production Scheduling and Inventory Management | 4 |
| XXXXXX | Professional Option | 4 |
| Semester 6 | Subject Name | Hrs/Wk |
| CAP500 | Career Planning | 1 |
| ERP500 | Enterprise Resource Planning | 4 |
| MGS522 | Negotiation Strategies for Business | 4 |
| OPM510 | Total Quality Management | 4 |
| OPM620 | Advanced Purchasing and Materials Management | 4 |
| XXXXXX | Professional Option | 4 |
Note: Students in the Operations Management program must maintain a G.P.A. of 2.0 or better to remain in the program.
Students interested in pursuing a degree are advised to take Statistics (QNM222) as a professional option.
Professional Options
Professional options may be taken in semester 5 and 6. The subjects listed below are a representative sample of those which may be available. Students will be advised during semester 4 which options will be offered for semesters 5 and 6.
| Professional | Subject Name | Hrs/Wk |
|---|---|---|
| EBM510 | Entrepreneurship | 4 |
| EBM530 | Planning a New Business Venture | 4 |
| EBM645 | Cases in Entrepreneurship | 4 |
| EBM650 | Small Business Problem Solving | 4 |
| ENV500 | Environmentalism and Commerce | 3 |
| EQQ501 | Emotional Intelligence and the Workplace | 3 |
| FIS403 | Financial Management | 3 |
| GBP400 | Global Business Placement | 4 |
| MGS523 | Introduction to Electronic Commerce | 4 |
| MGS524 | Effective Leadership | 4 |
| MGS525 | Evolution of Managerial Thought | 4 |
| MGS560 | Business Sustainability | 3 |
| MRK525 | Business to Business Marketing | 4 |
| MSC510 | Decision Analysis II | 3 |
| RET500 | Understanding the Retail Business | 4 |
| RET670 | Customer Service in a Networked World | 3 |
| WAM507 | Workplace - Attitudes and Motivation | 4 |
Note: Professional option subjects not having a minimum of 30 students enrolled may be cancelled at the discretion of the School. Not all professional options are offered every semester.
Educational Pathways
The benefit of a common curriculum in the first two years is that it gives you the flexibility to transfer your earned credits to the four Business Administration programs listed in the chart below. The first four semesters are offered at both Newnham and Markham Campuses. The fifth and sixth semesters of these programs are offered at Newnham Campus only.
There’s also flexibility provided through pathways to other programs in the Faculty of Business. First-year curricula at the School of Business Management are very similar to those of the Schools of Marketing, International Business, Accounting and Financial Services, and the Centre for Human Resources. This means you’re able to transfer to programs in these other schools with credits already earned for the first year.

Contact Us
| Admissions Advisors: | |
| Domestic Admissions Advisor: | Margaret Lim Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 22806 Email: Margaret.Lim@senecacollege.ca |
| International Admissions Advisor: | Judy Chung Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 22380 Email: Judy.Chung@senecacollege.ca |
| Student Advisors: | |
| Newnham Campus: | Sarah Tan-Sese Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 22675 Email: Sarah.Tan-Sese@senecacollege.ca |
| Markham Campus: | Izabela Loranty Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 77547 Email: Izabela.Loranty@senecacollege.ca |
| Registration & Records Advisors: | |
| Newnham Campus: | Karen Fraser Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 22462 Email: Karen.Fraser@senecacollege.ca |
| Markham Campus: | Marc Combetto Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 77435 Email: Marc.Combetto@senecacollege.ca |
| Program Chair: | Chris Dudley Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 22386 Email: Chris.Dudley@senecacollege.ca |
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Testimonial
"Within a short period of time from graduating the Purchasing and Supply Chain program I accepted a position at General Electric. From the hands–on learning in the classroom and field placement in my last semester, I was well prepared for my position at GE."
Braydon Weir
2011 Graduate
Expediter, General Electric

