This version of the course guide is provisional until the period for editing the new course guides ends.

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Ethics and Legislation Business Management

Code: 102680 ECTS Credits: 3
2025/2026
Degree Type Year
Veterinary Medicine OB 5

Contact

Name:
Francisco Javier Manteca Vilanova
Email:
xavier.manteca@uab.cat

Teachers

Manuel Antonio López Béjar
(External) Pere Mercader

Teaching groups languages

You can view this information at the end of this document.


Prerequisites

There are no official prerequisites


Objectives and Contextualisation

Objectives
 
This is a fifth year compulsory subject that covers both legal and ethical aspects related to the veterinary profession, as well as the business management aspects that are useful in the field of veterinary practice. 

We aim to: 

 

a) Provide students with the legal, technical and practical tools for an accurate knowledge of the Spanish, European and international legal framework, as well as the ethical values of the veterinary profession.

 

b) Address contenst related to business management techniques.

 

 

The specific objectives are:

1.     Identify, analyze and understand the legal, legislative and regulatory framework of the professional veterinary practice.

2.     Reflect on the ethical and deontologic issues related to professional practice

3.     Know the tools necessary to develop a business plan, from an entrepreneurial or wage-earning aspect. Business strategy, financial economic management, human resources and marketing aspects will be covered.


Competences

  • Analyse, synthesise and resolve problems and make decisions.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of standards and laws in the veterinary field and regulations on animals and their trade.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the aspects of organisation, finance and management in all fields of the veterinary profession.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the rights and duties of the veterinarian, with a special focus on ethical principles
  • Draft and present satisfactory professional reports, always maintaining the required confidentiality.
  • Have basic knowledge of the profession, and in particular of the organisation and functions of professional practice.
  • Recognise ethical obligations in the exercise of responsibilities in terms of the profession and society.
  • Seek and manage information related with professional activity

Learning Outcomes

  1. Analyse, synthesise and resolve problems and make decisions.
  2. Apply a holistic conception of the acquired technical knowledge in the legal framework.
  3. Carry out expert valuations based on based on scientific, legal and ethical data.
  4. Correctly use the terminology of the code of practice and ethics.
  5. Describe the characteristics and functions of the economic production unit.
  6. Describe the scientific basics of veterinary law and apply the principles of veterinary legislation.
  7. Draft and present satisfactory professional reports, always maintaining the required confidentiality.
  8. Evaluate the impact of commercial, production and organisational decisions on the economic results of the company.
  9. Evaluate the legislation of different countries and produce relevant reports.
  10. Explain the ethical principles of the practice of the profession.
  11. Explain the factors that influence the degree of fulfilment of legislation.
  12. Explain the historical mechanisms of codes of conduct, legislation and public liability in the cultures and development of countries.
  13. Handle the necessary economic and financial data for business level decision-making.
  14. Have basic knowledge of the profession, and in particular of the organisation and functions of professional practice.
  15. Identify the most common marketing tools applicable to a veterinary company.
  16. Issue judgements in consideration of existing legislation.
  17. Make an effective diagnosis of the financial situation of a company and establish suitable action plans.
  18. Perform technical assessments based on scientific, legislative and ethical data.
  19. Recognise personal limitations and know when to ask for professional advice and help.
  20. Recognise the risks of breaching legislation.
  21. Seek and manage information related with professional activity
  22. Use legislative and legal terminology correctly.
  23. Use tools to identify opportunities, threats and changes in the competitive environment of the company.

Content

 ETHICS and LEGISLATION

Topic 1. Introduction to ethical and legal aspects related to animal welfare.
Topic 2. Protection of companion animals.
Topic 3. Protection of production animals: general aspects and minimum standards for the protection of pigs, broilers, laying hens and calves on livestock farms. Transport and slaughter.
Topic 4. Protection of wild animals. CITES Convention.
Topic 5. Protection of animals used in research and teaching procedures.
Topic 6. Legal framework of the veterinary profession in Catalonia, Spain and Europe.
Topic 7. Professional responsibility in the practice of the companion animal clinic, in the field of livestock farming and in the field of public health.
Topic 8. Professional expertise.
Topic 9. Legal framework of veterinary centers. Zoos. Companion animal centers. Control and identification of companion animals. Responsible pet ownership.
Topic 10. Veterinary certifications.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Topic 1. Introduction to the Business Plan 1.1. Strategic vision of the company. 1.2. Marketing: The consumers' needs. Key factors in market research. Product and Price
Topic 2. Human resources. 2.1. Human resources and their importance. 2.2. Team and organization.2.3. Jobs. 2.4. Objectives. 2.5. Remuneration
Topic 3. The financial plan. 3.1. Income, expenses, profit and loss account. 3.2. The balance sheet. 3.3. Financing.
Topic 4. Marketing. 4.1. Communication and distribution. 4.2. The global market. 4.3. Strategic alliances. 4.4. Implementation schedule.

 


Activities and Methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Lectures 17 0.68 6, 5, 11, 12, 17, 15, 13, 20, 14, 22, 23, 9
Seminars- tutorials 8 0.32 1, 2, 18, 16, 19, 7, 22, 23, 8
Type: Autonomous      
Resolution of the case studies 24 0.96 1, 2, 16, 7, 22
Self Learning 25 1 6, 11, 12, 15, 20, 22, 23, 9

Methodology

 

In order to achieve the course's objectives, we will undertake the following methodologies and activities:

The methodology  of the lectures, seminars and tutorials  will b e carried out in a mexed way : presential and not presential   

1. Participative Theoretical Lectures

 

In these lectures, the professor will present the subject highlighting its most relevant aspects. These presentations will offer the student structured information that will enable them to face those case studies addressed in the seminars and during self-directed study, as well as in the future, during their professional development. In these sessions, the professor will give out guidelines and directions relevant to the course. The student will acquire knowledge of the subject that will later be complemented via self-directed study of the covered material. 

 

2. Workshops

 

These sessions will consist of a reduced number of students, and will encourage participative discussion. They will serve to deepen the scientific and technical knowledge acquired during theoretical lectures and complete their comprehension. They will also provide a natural forum for discussion and the exchange of ideas and knowledge with the mission of promoting the capacity for analysis, synthesis, critical reasoning and problem-solving. In these sessions, the student is obliged to take an active part in the learning process and thus it is appropriate to use them to raise questions and/or resolve any doubts regarding the subject matter. Furthermore, they allow the professor to follow through with individual student progress. When group work is being considered, attitudes of involvement and initiative are encouraged as they improve the student's degree of understanding and create a positive social relationship. 

In these seminars, different activities will be carried out: analysisof information, problem solving, problem-based learning, etc. In some cases, before the sessions, students will have to work autonomously on problems thatthe professor will have previously posed, as they will be addressed in class discussion.  

 

3. Self-directed learning:

 

In relation to BLOCK 1: Ethics and Legislation, the student will have to prepare an assignment on a topic related to the subject, with the professor's approval. 

 

In relation to BLOC 2: Business Management, the student must prepare and defend a business plan. Public presentations facilitate the learning of oral communication.

 

Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.


Assessment

Continous Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Essay 50% 0 0 1, 2, 21, 3, 18, 10, 16, 17, 19, 7, 4, 22, 23, 8
Participation during the seminars 5% 0 0 1, 2, 21, 3, 18, 10, 16, 17, 19, 7, 4, 22, 23, 8
Written examinations 45% 1 0.04 6, 5, 11, 12, 15, 13, 20, 14, 22, 9

ONE-DAY EVALUATION IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR THIS SUBJECT

 

Exams: there will be one exam once the teaching of the subject has finished. The exam will be a test (true / false) and will account for 45% of the final mark.

Essay: students will have to deliver a written essay that will account for 50% of the final mark. Participation in the seminars will represent 5% of the mark.

 Students that do not take the exam (neither the first nor the second one) and those that do not hand in the essay will considered as "not evaluable".

Students that fail the first exam will be able to sit the second one.

In this subject, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is allowed as an integral part of the development of the work, provided that the final result reflects a significant contribution of the student in the analysis and personal reflection. The student must clearly identify which parts have been generated with this technology, specify the tools used and include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and the final result of the activity. The lack of transparency in the use of AI will be considered a lack of academic honesty and may lead to a penalty in the grade of the activity, or greater sanctions in serious cases.

 


Bibliography

BLOC 1.  ETHICS AND LEGISLATION

. DIARI OFICIAL DE LA GENERALITAT DE CATALUNYA.

. BOLETIN OFICIAL DEL ESTADO

Codigo de los animales de compañía. https://www.boe.es/biblioteca_juridica/codigos/codigo.php?id=210_Codigo_de_Animales_de_Compania&modo=2

Ley de enjuiciamiento Civil https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2000-323&tn=2&p=20201112

Ley de enjuiciamiento criminal  https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-1882-6036&tn=2

.  DIARIO OFICIAL DE LAS COMUNIDADES EUROPEAS.

https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/pesca/temas/calidad-seguridad-alimentaria/reglamento178-2002_tcm30-290827.pdf

https://www.wto.org/spanish/tratop_s/sps_s/sps_s.htm

https://www.boe.es/doue/2005/255/L00022-00142.pdf

. CAHPA repports. Consell d'Europa.Strasbourg.

. COL.LEGI OFICIAL DE VETERINARIS DE BARCELONA: Docs es troben al web:  http://www.covb.es

SAVATER F.(1991): Ética para Amador. Ariel. Barcelona. 

Webs d’interès:

https://www.covb.cat/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/REGLAMENT-PER-A-L%E2%80%99EXERCICI-PROFESSIONAL-CLI%CC%81NICA-CAT.pdf

http://www.veterinaris.cat/sites/default/files/reglament_aiac.pdf

http://www.avhic.com/

http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/es/index.html

http://www.fao.org/docrep/w6419S/w6419s01.htm#introducción

http://www.fao.org/noticias/2001/010406-s.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/spanish/default.htm

http://www.oie.int/esp/es_index.htm

http://www.colvet.es/madrid/

http://www.recol.es/web/Veterinaria/default.asp?idCmdad=22&nombCmdad=Veterinaria

http://www.gencat.es/sanitat/cat/cindex.html

http://www.uruciencias.com/index.html#top

http://www.consumaseguridad.com/

http://www.fao.org/noticias/2001/010406-s.htm

http://www.gencat.es/sanitat/cat/cindex.html

http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/es/index.html

http://www.mapausa.org/Guia/subguia6.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/spanish/default.htm

http://www.recol.es/web/Veterinaria/default.asp?idCmdad=22&nombCmdad=Veterinaria

http://www.oie.int/esp/normes/mcode/e_summry.htm

http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/aib766/aib766.pdf

http://www.who.org

http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg24/index.html

 

BLOC 2:  Business Management 

  • El plan de márketing en la práctica. J. Mª Sainz de Vicuña. (18ª Ed.) 2013. ESIC Editorial
  • La empresa basada en equipos humanos. G. Gil García. 2012. Ed. Marcombo
  • Finanzas para managers. K. Berman, J. Case, J. Knight. 2007. Ed. DEUSTO
  • Como preparar el Plan de empresa. J. A. Neira Rodriguez. 2010. Ed. FUND. CONFEMETAL

 


Software

See section on "Continguts"


Groups and Languages

Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.

Name Group Language Semester Turn
(SEM) Seminars 1 Catalan/Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 2 Catalan/Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 3 Catalan/Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 4 Catalan/Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 5 Catalan/Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(TE) Theory 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed