SASA10156U Advanced Quantitative Methods in Herd Management
MSc Programme in Animal Science - restictive electives
This course is for individuals seeking to improve their
abilities to assemble and use data of animal performance to enhance
rational, quantitative decision making in animal production. It is
a computer intensive course.
Initially, the necessary mathematical and statistical preconditions
will be introduced in order to make sure that all students have a
basic understanding of topics like vector and matrix operations
(i.e., linear algebra), random numbers, Bayes’ theorem,
distributions (including multivariate and conditional), etc. The
duration of this part is between one and two weeks.
Next, the course provides a comprehensive introduction to advanced
quantitative herd management by combining:
- Theory
- Computer applications in order to illustrate theory
- Practical livestock management applications developed in research
The techniques covered in this course have general application in
diverse animal production systems. These techniques are applied to
an array of management decisions including culling, breeding and
mating; feed allocation and slaughter timing; and medical
treatment. Specific topics include dynamic monitoring of animal
performance and behavior, data filtering, use of state space
models, Bayesian networks, decision graphs, linear programming,
Markov decision-processes and Monte Carlo
simulation.
After attending the course students should be able to
participate in the development and evaluation of new tools for
management and control taking biological variation and observation
uncertainty into account.
After completing the course, the student should be able to:
Knowledge:
- Describe the methods taught in the course
- Explain the limitations and strengths of the methods in relation
to herd management problems.
- Give an overview of typical application areas of the methods.
Skills:
- Construct models to be used for monitoring and decision support
in animal production at herd level.
- Apply the software tools used in the
course.
Competencies:
- Evaluate methods, models and software tools for herd management.
- Transfer methods to other herd management problems than those
discussed in the course.
- Interpret results produced by models and software
tools.
Kristensen, A.R., E. Jørgensen and N. Toft. 2010. Herd
Management Science I. Basic concepts. 2010 Edition, University of
Copenhagen, Faculty of Life Sciences.
Kristensen, A.R., E. Jørgensen and N. Toft. 2010. Herd Management
Science II. Advanced topics. 2010 Edition, University of
Copenhagen, Faculty of Life Sciences
Kristensen, A.R. 2010. Herd Management Science. Exercises and
supplementary reading. 2010 edition.
SMAF10074U Matematik og modeller
SMAF10078U Matematik og optimering
Only one of the courses SMAF10074U and SMAF10078U is required.
Evaluation model: Survey-based model
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 47
- Preparation
- 67
- Theory exercises
- 10
- Practical exercises
- 18
- Project work
- 54
- Guidance
- 9
- Exam
- 1
- Total
- 206
Open for credit transfer students and other external students. Apply here:
Credit transfer students:
http://healthsciences.ku.dk/education/other-programme-options/credit-transfer-students/
Other external students:
https://healthsciences.ku.dk/education/student-mobility/guest-students/
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Oral examination, 30 minutesAn individual oral examination is held at the end of the course. 30 minutes preparation followed by 30 minutes examination.
A precondition for attending exam is that at least 3 of 4 mandatory reports have been handed in and approved. - Aid
- All aids allowed
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
More than one internal examiner.
Criteria for exam assesment
To achieve the maximum grade of 12, the student shall be able to:
Knowledge:
- Describe the methods taught in the course
- Explain the limitations and strengths of the methods in relation
to herd management problems.
- Give an overview of typical application areas of the methods.
Skills:
(Only tested in mandatory reports)
Competencies:
- Evaluate methods, models and software tools for herd
management.
- Interpret results produced by models and software tools.
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- SASA10156U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
- 1 block
- Placement
- Block 2
- Schedule
- C
- Course capacity
- 30 students.
- Course is also available as continuing and professional education
- Study board
- The Study Board for Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science
Contracting department
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Course Coordinators
- Dan Børge Jensen (daj@sund.ku.dk)