University of Liege | Version française
Study programmes 2008-2009Last update : 29/06/2009
VETE0432-1  Biostatistics and mathematics (including basics on computers usage)
Duration :  64h Th, 40h Pr
Credits/ECTS :  
Bachelor in veterinary medicine, 1st yearToute l'année11
Holder(s) :  Frédéric Farnir, Pascal Leroy
Coordinator :  Frédéric Farnir
Language :  Langue française
Course contents :  The course integrates some computer basics (hardware and software - us of a spreadsheet and of a statistical package), a mathematics refresher (basic functions, trigonometry, derivatives and simple integrals) and an introduction to biostatistics. The latter includes an introduction to random variables and probabilities. Then the course turns to descriptive statistics and to probability distributions, before starting a discussion of the main hypotheses tests (frequencies, ratios, means comparisons, followed by analyses of variance, regression and correlation analyses). The next section of the course discusses a few non parametric tests. The last part introduces some advanced material, such as:

  • The description of a general technique of analysis, encompassing analysis of variance and regression analysis (linear models)
  • An extension to the contingency tables, allowing a regression analysis on polychotomic traits (logistic regression)

The course integrates some computer basics (hardware and software - us of a spreadsheet and of an HTML editor), a mathematics refresher (basic functions, trigonometry, derivatives and simple integrals) and an introduction to biostatistics. The latter includes an introduction to random variables and probabilities. Then the course turns to descriptive statistics and to probability distributions, before starting a discussion of the main hypotheses tests (frequencies, ratios, means comparisons, followed by analyses of variance, regression and correlation analyses). The last section of the mandatory part of the course discusses a few non parametric tests. The students then have to choose among two options:

  • The description of a general technique of analysis, encompassing analysis of variance and regression analysis (linear models)
  • An extension to the contingency tables, allowing a regression analysis on polychotomic traits (logistic regression)
Course objective :  The main objectives of the course are:

  • to make the students familiar to the use of computers softwares.
  • to refresh the basics in mathematics and calculus.
  • to explain the statistical reasoning.
  • to introduce the notion of statistical hypothesis testing, and to provide numerous examples in biology.
  • to list a series of useful techniques, especially the ones mainly used in experiments likely to be made by veterinarians.
  • to allow the students to use the theory on practical examples extracted from the veterinary life.
  • to open the view of the students for the situations not covered in the course.

The main objectives of the course are:

  • to make the students familiar to the use of computers softwares.
  • to refresh the basics in mathematics and calculus.
  • to explain the statistical reasoning.
  • to introduce the notion of statistical hypothesis testing, and to provide numerous examples in biology.
  • to list a series of useful techniques, especially the ones mainly used in experiments likely to be made by veterinarians.
  • to allow the students to use the theory on practical examples extracted from the veterinary life.
  • to open the view of the students for the situations not covered in the course.
Prerequisites :  Basics in mathematics

Basics in mathematics
Workshops :  
  • 10 hours of math exercises (5*2 hours)
  • 10 hours of biostatistics exercises (5*2 hours)
  • 10 hours of computer sessions on biostatistics (5*2 hours)
  • 10 hours of computer sessions on informatics (5*2 hours)

  • 10 hours of math exercises (5*2 hours)
  • 10 hours of biostatistics exercises (5*2 hours)
  • 10 hours of computer sessions on biostatistics (5*2 hours)
  • 10 hours of computer sessions on informatics (5*2 hours)
Organization :  Lectures of 2 hours each will take place every week (except the first 5 weeks, where more lectures might take place). The 'math' and 'computers' parts will be completed after 5 weeks, while the 'statistics' part will span the entire academic year.

Practical sessions will be planned during the first and part of the second quadrimesters. The schedule will be distributed to the students.

Two lectures of 2 hours each will take place every first 14 weeks (except for weeks1, 3, 13 and 14, where 3 lectures will take place). This should allow the lectures to be completed before the january session.

Practical sessions will be planned during the first and part of the second quadrimesters. The schedule will be distributed to the students.
Written notes :  Biostatistics book sold at the Editions of ULg

Math theory and exercises book sold at the Editions de l'ULg

Slides of the lectures available on the web site

Biostatistics book sold at the Editions of ULg

Math exercises book sold at the Editions de l'ULg

Slides of the lectures available on the web site
Assessment :  The final result will be based on:

  • a math 'multiple choices' test (at the end of the math exercises sessions, in january if necessary, and in june if necessary)
  • a computer science test (during the january session, or during the june session if necessary)
  • a partial exam on the first part of the stat course during the january session
  • a final exam on the complete stat course during the january session
  • a 'practical'exam on computer (during the june session)

The final grade will be a mean over:

  • an evaluation taking place at the end of the math practical sessions
  • an evaluation taking place at the end of the informatics practical sessions
  • a partial evaluation of the biostatistics skills during the january session
  • a final examination of the biostatistics knowledge during the june session.
All evaluations will be computerized exercices.
Contacts :  Prof. Dr Pascal Leroy, Dr Ir F. Farnir
E-mail : pascal.leroy@ulg.ac.be, F.Farnir@ulg.ac.be


Tél : 04/366 41 20, Fax : 04/366 41 22

Secretary : 04/366 41 50, Fax : 04/366 41 22

Prof. Dr Pascal Leroy, Dr Ir F. Farnir
E-mail : pascal.leroy@ulg.ac.be, F.Farnir@ulg.ac.be


Tél : 04/366 41 20, Fax : 04/366 41 22

Secretary : 04/366 41 50, Fax : 04/366 41 22


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