Educational guide
IDENTIFYING DATA 2023_24
Subject BIOSTATISTICS AND EPIDEMIOLOGY Code 00106015
Study programme
0106 GRADO EN VETERINARIA
Descriptors Credit. Type Year Period
6 Compulsory Second First
Language
Castellano
Prerequisites
Department SANIDAD ANIMAL
Coordinador
CARVAJAL URUEÑA , ANA MARÍA
E-mail amcaru@unileon.es
jmfreg@unileon.es
lffuec@unileon.es
bgutg@unileon.es
hargr@unileon.es
Lecturers
CARVAJAL URUEÑA , ANA MARÍA
FREGENEDA GRANDES , JUAN MIGUEL
FUENTE CRESPO , LUIS FERNANDO DE LA
GUTIÉRREZ GIL , BEATRIZ
ARGÜELLO RODRÍGUEZ , HÉCTOR
Web http://
General description This subject includes contents from the basic education and Clinic Sciences and Animal Health modules of the Veterinary studies. This course teaches the basic skills needed to analyze data and make statistical inference and to use these data in the study of the frequency , distribution and determinants of health-events in animal populations
Tribunales de Revisión
Tribunal titular
Cargo Departamento Profesor
Presidente SANIDAD ANIMAL RUBIO NISTAL , PEDRO MIGUEL
Secretario SANIDAD ANIMAL MARTINEZ MARTINEZ , SONIA
Vocal PRODUCCION ANIMAL ARRANZ SANTOS , JUAN JOSE
Tribunal suplente
Cargo Departamento Profesor
Presidente SANIDAD ANIMAL GUTIERREZ MARTIN , CESAR BERNARDO
Secretario SANIDAD ANIMAL HIDALGO ARGUELLO , ROSARIO
Vocal PRODUCCION ANIMAL LOPEZ PUENTE , SECUNDINO

Competencias
Code  
A19629 106P9 Advise and carry out epidemiological studies and therapeutic and preventive programs in accordance with animal welfare, animal health and public health standards.
A19630 106S1 Biometrics and statistics applied to veterinary sciences.
A19661 106S38 Transmission and maintenance of diseases and methods of studying diseases in populations.
B6471 106G1 Analyse, synthesise, solve problems and make decisions in the professional fields of the veterinarian.
B6475 106G5 Write and present professional reports correctly, always maintaining the necessary confidentiality.
B6476 106G6 Search and manage information related to the veterinarians activity.
B6477 106G7 Apply the scientific method to professional practice including evidence-based medicine.
B6479 106G9 Demonstrate interest in knowing how to use basic computer tools.
B6481 106G11 Keep the knowledge, skills and attitudes of professional competencies updated through a continuing education process.
C2 CMECES2 That students know how to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional manner and possess the skills that are usually demonstrated through the development and defense of arguments and the resolution of problems within their area of study.
C3 CMECES3 That students have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data (normally within their area of study) to make judgments that include reflection on relevant issues of a social, scientific or ethical nature.
C4 CMECES4 That students can transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions to both a specialised and non-specialised audience

Learning aims
Competences
Understand the basic statistical methods used in health sciences. A19630
B6477
B6479
C2
C3
Analyze and understand the results of parameter estimates and hypothesis testing A19630
B6471
B6477
B6479
C3
C4
Understand the epidemiological methods used in the study of diseases in animal populations A19629
A19661
B6471
B6476
B6477
B6479
C2
C3
C4
Analyze and interpret the results of the estimates of different epidemiological measures for their use in decision-making in the fight against diseases in animal populations. A19629
A19661
B6471
B6475
B6477
B6479
B6481
C2
C3
C4

Contents
Topic Sub-topic
I. DESCRIPTIVE BIOSTATISTICS Biostatistics in veterinary sciences. Data organization. Calculation of Probabilities. Random variables. The normal distribution.
This thematic block includes 1 practical session for solving exercises and cases, lasting 2
hours. This practical session is carried out in a computer classroom (CRAI-TIC). There will be two modules per practice and the number of teachers per group is 1.
II. STATISTICAL INFERENCE Introduction to statistical inference. Hypothesis contrast. Linear regression. Variance analysis. Introduction to linear models.
This thematic block includes 2 practical sessions for solving exercises and cases, each lasting 2 hours (a total of 4 practical hours). These practical sessions are carried out in computer classrooms (CRAI-TIC). There will be two modules per practice and the number of teachers per group is 1.
III. BASIC CONCEPTS AND DATA SOURCES IN EPIDEMIOLOGY Concept of epidemiology. Historical development. Basic principles and objectives of epidemiology. Recovering and collecting information for epidemiological purposes. Surveys and questionnaires. Sampling: design and calculation of sample size.
This thematic block includes 2 practical sessions for solving exercises and cases, each
lasting 2 hours (a total of 4 practical hours). These practical sessions are carried out in computer classrooms (CRAI-TIC). There will be two modules per practice and the number of teachers per group is 1.
IV. VALIDATION OF DIAGNOSTIC TESTS Validation of diagnostic test: sensitivity and specificity. Determination of cut-off ROC curves. Predictive values and likelihood ratios. Measurement of agreement between diagnostic tests: kappa statistic.
This thematic block includes 1 practical session for solving exercises and cases lasting 2 hours. This practical session is carried out in a computer classroom (CRAI-TIC). There will be two modules per practice and the number of teachers per group is 1.
V. DESCRIPTIVE EPIDEMIOLOGY Morbidity measures: prevalence and incidence. Demographic statistics. Spatial and temporal distribution of the disease.
This thematic block includes 2 practical sessions for solving exercises and cases. One of
them, lasting 2 hours, will be carried out in a computer classroom (CRAI-TIC) and the second will be a supervised PBL group work (room 9) lasting 2.5 hours (2 hours presential and half an hour to finish a report). There will be two modules per practice and the number of teachers per group is 1.
VI. ANALYTICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY Causes and determinants of disease. Analytical epidemiological studies. Measures of the degree of association. Errors and biases: confounding variables. Experimental epidemiological studies.
This thematic block includes 3 practical sessions. Two of them, each lasting 2 hours, a total of 4 hours, will be exercises and case resolution practices and will take place in a computer classroom (CRAI-TIC). The third practical session will be a supervised PBL group work (room 9) lasting 2.5 hours (2 hours presential and half an hour to finish a report). There will be two modules per practice and the number of teachers per group is 1.
VII. CONTROL AND ECONOMY OF THE DISEASE IN ANIMAL POPULATIONS Main strategies for disease control in animal populations. Main tools in the economic assessment of the disease in animal populations.

Planning
Methodologies  ::  Tests
  Class hours Hours outside the classroom Total hours
Lecture 32 48 80
 
Practicals using information and communication technologies (ICTs) in computer rooms 18 14 32
PBL (Problem Based Learning) 4 10 14
 
Personal tuition 3 12 15
 
Mixed tests 3 6 9
 
(*)The information in the planning table is for guidance only and does not take into account the heterogeneity of the students.

Methodologies
Methodologies   ::  
  Description
Lecture Theoretical classes with the help of visual presentations. Students will have support material available on the institutional Moodle educational platform. Student participation in the lectures will be encouraged and evaluated, carrying out questionnaires in the classroom or voluntary presentations of some specific aspects as well as practical exercices.
Practicals using information and communication technologies (ICTs) in computer rooms Practical sessions for solving exercises and cases in the computer room in which practical assumptions and exercises corresponding to each thematic block are proposed. The proposed exercises will be available on the institutional Moodle educational platform before each practical session. Each student will have 9 sessions lasting 2 hours. Each practical session will be taught by 1 teacher.
PBL (Problem Based Learning) Practical sessions, in a classroom that allows group activities. A problem based learning or PBL exercise will be carried out. The assumptions, as well as the additional information necessary for the approach and resolution of each proposed situation, will be available, on the institutional Moodle educational platform, before each practical session. Each student will have 2 sessions lasting 2 presential hours and a group report will be generated and submitted to the responsible teacher. Each practical session will be taught by 1 teacher.
Personal tuition Tutorials will be carried out individually, including face-to-face and non-face-to-face sessions, through email or forums enabled on the institutional Moodle educational platform for each of the thematic blocks and practical sessions. In any case, the use of face-to-face tutorials is recommended to resolve doubts related to practical problems and PBL.

Personalized attention
 
Lecture
Practicals using information and communication technologies (ICTs) in computer rooms
PBL (Problem Based Learning)
Description
Face-to-face in the desk of each of the teachers participating in lectures and practical sessions. Time and place to be agree between student and teacher by email. In addition, virtual tutorials can be carried out through email or forums enabled on the institutional Moodle educational platform.


Assessment
  Description Qualification
Lecture Attendance and active participation in master sessions, participation in tutorials, both in-person and offline. 6 %
Practicals using information and communication technologies (ICTs) in computer rooms Attendance and active participation in face-to-face sessions, computer classrooms participation in tutorials and reports
generated by students during practical sessions.
7 %
PBL (Problem Based Learning) Attendance and active participation and reports generated by each group of students. 7 %
Mixed tests Global evaluation exercise that will combine theoretical knowledge (objective tests of short and multiple choice questions) and practical assumptions.
40 %
Others Evaluation exercises on the institutional Moodle educational platform, at the end of each of the 7 thematic blocks of the subject, which will include theoretical and practical content.
40%
 
Other comments and second call

In the ordinary call, the mixed evaluation test will count for 40% of the grade (20% evaluation of theoretical contents and 20% evaluation of practical contents), with 60% corresponding to continuous evaluation (evaluation exercises in institutional Moodle that will count 40% and attendance and active participation in master sessions, tutorials, ICT practices in computer classrooms and problem-based learning sessions will count for 20%).
In the extraordinary call, the mixed evaluation test will count for 60% of the grade (30% evaluation of theoretical contents and 30% evaluation of practical contents), while the rest of the assessments (continuous evaluation), including the evaluation exercises in The institutional Moodle educational platform, attendance and active participation in the master sessions, both face-to-face and non-face-to-face tutorials, in the practices in computer classrooms, in the problem-based learning sessions, will count for 40% of the overall grade.
In accordance with what was approved by the Governing Council of the University of León (January 29, 2015), in the document referring to "Recommended guidelines for action in cases of plagiarism, copying or fraud in exams or evaluation tests" indicates that: • During the written exam of the subject, it will be strictly prohibited to use any electronic device (computer, tablet, mobile phone or digital watch with memory, etc.) that can help the student solve the questions without relying exclusively on the knowledge acquired during the study. Calculators that will be used to solve the practical cases are excluded from the above. • These devices must be kept out of the student's reach during the test. • If this indication is not complied with, the exam will be immediately withdrawn and expelled. •
Furthermore, if the student was found cheating, the subject would be graded as "fail" in two annual calls.


Sources of information
Access to Recommended Bibliography in the Catalog ULE

Basic Carrasco JL, El método estadístico en la investigación médica , Madrid: Ciencia 3, 1986
AURORA VILLAROEL, EPIDEMIOLOGÍA CLÍNICA PRÁCTICA EN VETERINARIA, EDRA, 2023
Thrusfield, M, Epidemiología veterinaria, Zaragoza: Acribia, 1990
Martin SW, Meek AH, Wileberg P, Epidemiología veterinaria: principios y métodos, Zaragoza: Acribia, 1997
ROTHMAN, EPIDEMIOLOGY: AN INTRODUCTION, ORFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, 2012
Colton T, Estadística en medicina, Barcelona: Masson-Salvat, 1992
CELENTANO & SZKLO, GORDIS EPIDEMIOLOGÍA, ELSEVIER, 2019
HOUE, ERSBOLL & TOFT, INTRODUCTION TO VETERINARY EPIDEMIOLOGY, BIOFOLIA, 2021
Petrie, Statistics for Veterinary and Animal Science, Wiley & Blackwell, 2013
Dohoo I, Martin W, Stryhn H, Veterinary epidemiologic research, Charlottetown: AVC Inc, 2003
Thrusfield & Christley, Veterinary Epidemiology, Wiley & Blackwell, 2018

Complementary , , ,
Norman G, Striner D , Bioestadística, Madrid: Harcourt Brace , 1996
Gordis L , Epidemiología , Madrid: Elsevier , 2005
Milton JS, Tsokos JO, Estadística para biología y ciencias de la salud, Madrid: Interamericana McGraw-Hill, 2001
Ortega C, Noordhuizen JP, Stärk KD, Thrusfield M, Manual de epidemiología aplicada para el veterinario clínico, España: Esteve Veterinaria, 1995
De Blas I, Ruiz-Zarsuela I, Bayor B, Ferreira C, Manual de epidemiología veterinaria, Santiago de Compostela: Red Gallega de Biotecnología en Acuicultura, 2008
Hernández-Aguado I, Gil de Miguel A, Delgado Rodríguez M, Bolumar Montrull F, Manual de epidemiología y salud pública, Madrid: Editorial Médica Panamericana, 2005
Rothman K, Greenland S, Modern epidemiology, La Mesa, California: Lippincott-Raven, 1998
Casal J, Mateu E , Problemas de epidemiología veterinaria, Barcelona: Servicio de Publicaciones Universitat Autonoma Barcelona , 1999
Thrusfield M, Veterinary epidemiology, Oxford: Blackwell Science, 1999


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