ECTS credits ECTS credits: 3
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Student's work ECTS: 40 Hours of tutorials: 4 Expository Class: 16 Interactive Classroom: 15 Total: 75
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary Degree Subject RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Forensic Science, Pathological Anatomy, Gynaecology and Obstetrics and Paediatrics
Areas: Toxicology
Center Faculty of Veterinary Science
Call: Second Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable
- To understand and critically reflect on the ethical principles that should guide the practice of the veterinary profession.
- To understand the legal regulations governing the professional practice of veterinarians.
- To understand the legal regulations that govern the trade and use of animals and their products.
- To understand the legal regulations on animal experimentation.
- To recognize the foundations of Forensic Pathology and the legal implications of assessing bodily harm and certain causes of death in animals.
- To understand veterinary legislation related to animal nutrition and therapeutics.
- To understand and assess the veterinarian's responsibilities in expert witness activities.
- To interpret and resolve medico-legal reports in the veterinary field.
- To use appropriate information sources, in a foreign language and through ICTs, for searching, managing, and critically analyzing information.
- To prepare and present a scientific paper both independently and as part of a team.
- To value the importance of keeping knowledge of veterinary legislation up to date and of basing professional work on scientific principles.
A. LECTURE PROGRAM (THEORETICAL CLASSES)
Block I – Ethics and Deontology (3 hours)
1. Ethics and professional deontology. Professional confidentiality. Legal practice of the profession.
2. Bioethics: development and principles.
3. Induction of euthanasia in animals: criteria and techniques.
Block II – Veterinary Law (5 hours)
4. Responsibility in the professional practice of veterinary medicine. Civil and criminal liability.
5. Legal Veterinary Medicine: concept. Expert witness work: expert reports.
6. Animal identification and description.
7. Veterinary involvement in shows and events. Doping.
8. Commercial law. Latent defects.
9. Animal protection and welfare.
Block III – Forensic Pathology (4 hours)
10. Forensic thanatology. Diagnosis of death. Estimation of time of death. Causes of death.
11. Forensic pathology. Characteristics of gunshot wounds, blunt force wounds, stab wounds, incised wounds, stab-incised wounds, and incised-blunt wounds.
Block IV – Veterinary Legislation (4 hours)
12. Legislation on veterinary medicines.
13. Legislation on food safety. Regulations for food intended for human consumption and for animal feed.
14. Legislation on the trade and transport of animals and animal products. External market. Internal market: trade, transport, and livestock movement within the national territory.
15. Animal experimentation: general principles, ethical and legal aspects.
B. PRACTICAL INTERACTIVE CLASS PROGRAM
Ética LB. Alternative methods in animal experimentation: basic in vivo and in vitro techniques.
Ética OR1. 1.1. Introduction to the analysis of legal norms: definition, characteristics, and structure. 1.2. Use of legislative sources through bibliographic resources (databases, books, journals) and electronic resources (websites of public administrations, organizations, and institutions).
Ética OR2. Use of official gazettes and their legislative databases (OJEU, BOE, DOG) to search for European, national, and regional veterinary legislation.
BASIC BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Código Deontológico para el ejercicio de la profesión veterinaria. Consejo General de Colegios Veterinarios. Madrid. 2018.
- Monterroso Casado, E. Aspectos legales y responsabilidades derivadas de la práctica veterinaria. Ed. Servet. Zaragoza. 2006.
- Jiménez Alonso, JJ; Fernández Álvarez, A. La responsabilidad del veterinario. Ámbito penal y civil. Ed. Amazing books. España. 2018.
- Capó Martí, MA. Veterinaria Legal con Deontología. Ed. Eutesa. Madrid. 1989.
- Merck, M. Veterinaria Forense. Investigaciones sobre crueldad hacia los animales. Ed. Acribia. Zaragoza. 2010.
- Cooper, JE y Cooper, ME. Introducción a la Medicina Forense Veterinaria y Comparada. Ed. Acribia. Zaragoza. 2009.
- Castro, C. Los animales y su Estatuto Jurídico. Protección y Utilización de los Animales en el Derecho. Ed. Aranzadi. 2019.
- De Torres, J. El nuevo Estatuto Jurídico de los Animales en el Derecho Civil. De su Cosificación a su Reconocimiento como Seres Sensibles. Ed. REUS. 1ª ed. 2020.
- Fernández, A. Elementos básicos del maltrato animal. Ed. Amazing Books. 1ª ed. 2019.
- Martínez, J; Moreno, M.A. La Responsabilidad Causada por Animales Sueltos. Ed. BOSCH EDITOR. 1ª ed. 2016.
- Melgar Riol, M.J. Unidade Didáctica 17 “Experimentación Animal: Principios xerais, aspectos éticos e legais”. Servicio de Publicacións e Intercambio Científico da Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 2022. usc.gal/publicacions.
- Pardo Caballos A. Ética de la experimentación animal. Directrices legales y éticas contemporáneas. Cuad. Bioét., XVI: 393-417, 2005.
- Pérez García CC, García Partida P, Díez Prieto MI. Principios éticos de la experimentación animal. En Pérez García CC, Partida P, Díez Prieto MI. Introducción a la experimentación y protección animal: 1-9. Serv. Public. Univ. León. León, 1999.
- Soria, M.; Querol, N.; Company, A. Violencia contra los animales. Relevancia en la Investigación Criminal y la delincuencia Violenta. Ed. PIRAMIDE. 1ª ed. 2021.
- Villanueva, E; Gisbert, JA. Medicina Legal y Toxicología. Masson. Barcelona. 2005. 6ª edición.
COMPLEMENTARY BIBLIOGRAPHY:
- Alonso, L. Tanatología. Ed. YosYuna. 2ª ed. 2019.
- Amat, P. Derecho de la biotecnología y los transgénicos: especial referencia al sector agrario y alimentario. Tirant lo Blanch. Valencia. 2008.
- Amat, P. Derecho agrario y alimentario español y de la Unión Europea. Tirant lo Blanch. Valencia. 2007.
- Blázquez, N. Bioética y biotanasia. Ed. Visión Libros. Madrid. 2010.
- Buncic, S. Seguridad alimentaria integrada y salud pública veterinaria. Acribia, D.L. Zaragoza 2009.
- Domínguez, J. Inspección ante mortem y post mortem en animales de producción. Patologías y lesiones. Servet diseño y comunicación. Zaragoza. 2011.
- Ducauze, CJ. Fraudes alimentarios: legislación y metodología analítica. Acribia, D.L. Zaragoza. 2006.
- Freshney, RI. Culture of Animal Cells: A manual of basic technique and specialized applications. John Wiley & Sons. West Sussex (Reino Unido). 2016.
- Gallardo, MJ; Cruz, MJ. La responsabilidad jurídico-sanitaria. Ed. La ley. Madrid. 2011.
- Gracia, D. Fundamentos de bioética. Humanidades médicas. Triacastela. Madrid. 2008.
- Huffman, J; Wallace, J. Wildlife forensics: methods and applications. John Wiley & Sons. Reino Unido. 2011.
- Melgar Riol, MJ; Pérez López, M; Cantalapiedra Álvarez, JJ y Camiña García, M. Bienestar animal. Métodos de eutanasia y aturdimiento. Editado por la Consellería de Medio Rural e do Mar de la Xunta de Galicia. 2015
Competences and learning outcomes that students acquire the discipline:
General competences:
GVUSC 01. Ability to learn and adapt.
GVUSC 02. Capacity for analysis and synthesis.
GVUSC 03. General knowledge of the work area.
GVUSC 04. Planning and managing work.
GVUSC 05. Ability to apply knowledge in practice.
GVUSC 06. Ability to work independently and as a team.
GVUSC 010. Ethical commitment and accountability.
Disciplinary specific competences (know):
CEDVUSC 14. Know the Rules and Laws of veterinary and animal regulations and trade.
CEDVUSC 15. Know the rights and duties of the / the vet / a, with special emphasis on ethical principles.
Professional specific competences (skills):
D1VUSC17. Perform technical reports own veterinary skills.
Specific Academic Skills (to do), applicable to all profiles:
CEAVUSC 02. Behave ethically in carrying out their responsibilities to the veterinary profession and society.
CEAVUSC 04. Search and manage information related to the activity of the veterinarian.
CEAVUSC 08. Being aware of the need to keep knowledge, skills and attitudes of professional skills through a process of lifelong learning.
Cross-disciplinary competences:
CTVUSC 01. Capacity for reasoning and argument.
CTVUSC 02. Ability to obtain adequate, diverse and updated by various means, such as bibliographic information and the Internet, and analyze it critically.
CTVUSC 03. Ability to develop and present an organized and understandable text.
CTVUSC 04. Ability to make a public presentation in a clear, coherent and concise.
CTVUSC 05. Skill in the use of ICTs.
CTVUSC 06. Use information in a foreign language.
This course is delivered through:
- Lectures: 16 hours. The faculty member will present the theoretical content using appropriate didactic and audiovisual resources, while encouraging student participation. Occasionally, the faculty member may ask students spontaneous questions during class to be answered on the spot.
- Practical sessions: LB (G1–G4), OR1 (G1–G4), OR2 (G1–G4): 13 hours. The practical content complements the theoretical program and enables students to acquire practical skills and experience. Practical sessions will take place in the laboratory, LB (1 session of 4 hours), and in the computer room for OR1 and OR2 (2 sessions, of 5 and 4 hours respectively). Students will work with various resources and bibliographic sources. Tasks and exercises will be assigned to be completed individually or in teams and must be submitted upon completion. Attendance and participation in practical sessions are mandatory to pass the course. No exemptions are granted for these sessions.
- Blackboard sessions (PE1, PE2, PE3, PE4): 4 hours. These consist of group presentations of student-prepared assignments to the class and/or problem-solving activities proposed by the faculty member, followed by time for discussion and debate. While preparing and presenting these assignments is voluntary, attendance at these sessions is mandatory.
- Group tutorials (T1, T2): 2 hours. These sessions are intended to guide students in the completion of various tasks (study planning, information searching, use of resources, exercise preparation, and planning for blackboard sessions). T2 will be held in the department’s seminar room. Attendance at T1 is mandatory for students choosing to complete the voluntary assignment.
- Total in-person hours: 35 hour
- Examinations and review sessions: 1 hour
The Virtual Campus will be used as the primary communication and teaching support tool. Course materials provided by the faculty member, communication between faculty members and students, and submission of exercises will primarily take place through the Virtual Campus.
Additional tutorials (not scheduled in the official course timetable) may be conducted in person (at the Department) or virtually in real-time (via the institutional TEAMS platform). In both cases, they will follow the faculty member’s officially published office hours, and students are advised to book an appointment in advance via email.
No full exemption is granted for this course. According to the Attendance Regulations for Undergraduate and Master's Degrees at USC, students granted a partial exemption are not required to attend lectures but must still attend laboratory and computer-based practical sessions, as their physical presence is essential.
The student evaluation will include continuous assessment (which will account for 40% of the final grade) and a final exam (which will account for 60% of the final grade). To pass the course, the student must have completed the practical sessions and achieved a minimum score of 50% on the final exam in order to have the rest of the scores counted.
Continuous assessment will be based on: 2 tests of the theoretical classes (one at the midpoint and another at the end), the assignments and exercises proposed in the practical sessions (whether completed individually or in groups), the level of participation (in terms of learning outcomes) in the blackboard sessions, as well as the active participation and contributions of the student in class, during tutorials, or in activities developed through the virtual classroom.
The continuous assessment grade (theoretical tests, practical sessions, and blackboard sessions) will be carried over to subsequent academic years.
FINAL GRADE: Theoretical Tests (10%) + Practical sessions (20%) + Blackboard sessions (10%) + Final Exam (60%).
According to the Attendance Regulations for undergraduate and master's programs at USC, absences, whether justified or not, from the theoretical classes will not impact the continuous assessment, except for the days when the theoretical tests are held, in which case the absence must be justified in order to take the test on a different date. Attendance at interactive classes (practical sessions and blackboard sessions) is mandatory. Unjustified absences from practical sessions will result in failure to pass the course. Unjustified absences from blackboard sessions will lead to a deduction in the continuous assessment grade (0.05 points will be deducted from the total continuous assessment score for each absence). For justified absences in the blackboard sessions, alternative activities may be proposed for the student with a new deadline for submission.
The evaluation system for students with a partial exemption granted under the Attendance Regulations for undergraduate and master's programs at USC will be the same as for all students, allowing them to reach the maximum 10% allocated to all students through the online theoretical tests or through an online, in-person exam in conjunction with the final exam.
According to the current USC regulations on student progression for undergraduate and master's degrees (Article 5.2), mere attendance and/or participation in any of the activities subject to evaluation will result in a final grade other than "NOT PRESENTED."
SUMMARY: Final exam (60%) and continuous assessment (40%).
In cases of fraudulent completion of exercises or tests, the provisions outlined in the Academic Performance Evaluation and Grade Review Regulations (Article 16) will apply.
The course consists of 3 ECTS credits.
In-class work:
- Lectures: 16 hours
- Laboratory practical sessions: 4 hours
- Computer-based practical sessions: 9 hours
- Blackboard sessions: 4 hours
- Small group or individualized tutorials: 2 hours
- Total in-class hours: 35 hours
The total number of hours for the student's independent work is 40 hours. The detailed breakdown of the student's self-study time is as follows:
- Individual study: 24 hours
- Preparation of practical reports: 2 hours
- Preparation of assignments: 8 hours
- Problem-solving: 2 hours
- Oral presentations: 3 hours
- Exam preparation: 1 hour
- Total hours of independent student work: 40 hours
- Attendance at all scheduled in-person activities for the course.
- Active, constructive, and respectful participation in lectures, practical sessions, and tutorials.
- Develop habits of independent scientific information search and use of the recommended bibliography.
- Follow the study and work pace set, in a continuous manner.
- Appropriately use tutorials to understand the faculty member’s recommendations and clarify any doubts that arise during the learning process.
- Regularly consult the course's virtual classroom and make use of it.
Office Hours for Individual Tutorials: The office hours of the faculty members are officially posted on the Department's bulletin board (Pavellón 2) and on the course webpage.
Languages: Spanish and Galician
Course Coordinator: Elena Lendoiro Belío (elena.lendoiro [at] usc.es (elena[dot]lendoiro[at]usc[dot]es))
COMMUNICATION VIA EMAIL: It is mandatory for students to use their institutional email account (rai.usc.es).
USE OF MOBILE PHONE: The use of mobile phones is prohibited in the classroom or during practical sessions, unless used as a work tool following the instructions provided by the faculty member. The student is responsible for any legal or academic consequences that may arise from improper use.
PLAGIARISM: According to the Academic Performance Evaluation and Grade Review Regulations (Article 16), any form of plagiarism, whether total or partial, in any type of assignment or exam will result in a failing grade for the course. Attempting to ignore what constitutes plagiarism will not exempt the student from their responsibility.
DATA PROTECTION: Compliance with the applicable regulations is required (http://www.usc.es/gl/normativa/protecciondatos/index.html).
EXEMPTION FROM TEACHING: Students who have a recognized exemption from teaching must contact the course coordinator within the first 15 days of the semester to establish alternatives to the continuous assessment activities that the other students will carry out in person. There is no exemption for practical sessions. Failure to attend or pass the practical sessions will prevent the student from passing the course.
Maria Julia Melgar Riol
- Department
- Forensic Science, Pathological Anatomy, Gynaecology and Obstetrics and Paediatrics
- Area
- Toxicology
- mj.melgar [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
Elena Lendoiro Belio
Coordinador/a- Department
- Forensic Science, Pathological Anatomy, Gynaecology and Obstetrics and Paediatrics
- Area
- Toxicology
- elena.lendoiro [at] usc.es
- Category
- PROFESOR/A PERMANENTE LABORAL
Maria Cobo Golpe
- Department
- Forensic Science, Pathological Anatomy, Gynaecology and Obstetrics and Paediatrics
- Area
- Toxicology
- m.cobo [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: Intern Assistant LOSU
| Tuesday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 19:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 2 |
| Wednesday | |||
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS02 | Spanish | Classroom 5 |
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS03 | Spanish | Classroom 5 |
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS01 | Spanish | Classroom 5 |
| Thursday | |||
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS05 | Spanish | Classroom 5 |
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS06 | Spanish | Classroom 5 |
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS04 | Spanish | Classroom 5 |
| Friday | |||
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS08 | Spanish | Classroom 5 |
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS09 | Spanish | Classroom 5 |
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo /TI-ECTS07 | Spanish | Classroom 5 |
| 06.02.2026 12:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 1 |
| 06.02.2026 12:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 2 |
| 06.02.2026 12:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 3 |
| 06.23.2026 12:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 1 |
| 06.23.2026 12:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 2 |