Laboratory animal science -basic course and species-specific course rodents and rabbit

Course goals

Laboratory animal science - basic and rodents and rabbit

The Laboratory Animal Science course is intended for researchers who are going to plan and perform animal experiments (ex. Art. 9. Of the Dutch Act on animal experimentation or Wod). You need two certificates: the basic course and a species-specific course.

Animal experiments should only be set up and carried out by experts. In all cases, harm to the well-being of the experimental animal must be reduced to the absolute minimum. After all, all animals ultimately have the same intrinsic value. This requires knowledge, expertise and a correct attitude towards laboratory animals. Utrecht University has been providing the course on Laboratory Animal Science since 1986, making it the longest-running and most frequently taught Laboratory Animal Science course in Europe. The course is recognized by the Dutch government and FELASA accredited since April 2019 (function A+B for the basic course PLUS a species specific course). The Laboratory Animal Science course discusses, among other things, the 3Rs (replacement, reduction, refinement), which are essential when setting up or conducting animal experiments. Laws and regulations regarding animal testing, ethics, animal welfare, experimental design and more subjects related to Laboratory Animal Science are also covered in this course.

Additional Information Rodents and Rabbits

• This course is taught in English.
• Because you will work with animals during the course, we would like to remind you that it is wise to get vaccinated against tetanus.
• A different rate applies to employees of the UU Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, see ‘Registration’.
• The duration of this course is ca. 80 hours, spread across 2.5 weeks. 100% attendance is mandatory.
• This course will only proceed if there are sufficient participants.

Learning Outcomes for Rodents and Rabbits Course

The learning outcomes of this course are in accordance with the Education and Training Framework gerelateerd aan Directive EU/2010/63 (see pages 40-74 for all learning outcomes). See Programme for more information.

Target Group for Rodents and Rabbits Course

The Laboratory Animal Science course is intended for researchers who are going to plan and perform animal experiments (ex. Art. 9. Of the Dutch Act on animal experimentation or Wod). Please note: the course on Laboratory Animal Science is only part of the legal requirements for an ‘Article 9 officer’. In addition to obtaining the certificates from a recognized course in Laboratory Animal Science (introduction course plus a species-specific course), you must be scientifically trained (MSc level) in a member state of the European Union or the European Economic Area in a scientific discipline relevant to the work being undertaken.

Legal requirements

To assess whether you meet the legal requirements to plan and perform animal experiments and to be registered as an Article 9 officer, please contact the Animal Welfare Body of your license holder. For more information regarding competency in animal experimentation, check out the website of the 3Rs Centre and the Animal Welfare Body Utrecht.

Relevant links

• Read more about the Laboratory Animal Science course and the training requirements for persons planning and performing animal experiments.
• For more information about the Dutch Act on animal experimentation regarding competences and education, please check the website of the 3Rs-Centre ULS.
• For more information on a European level please visit the ETPLAS-website (Education and Training Platform for Laboratory Animal Science).

Content

The following modules are covered:

Core modules:
1 National legislation
2 Ethics, animal welfare and the 3Rs (level 1)
3.1 Basic and appropriate biology - theory
4 Animal care, health and management
5 Recognition of pain, suffering and distress
6.1 Humane methods of killing - theory

Function specific modules:
3.2 Basic and appropriate biology – skills
7 Minimally invasive procedures without anaesthesia – theory (partially)
8 Minimally invasive procedures without anaesthesia – skills
9 Ethics, animal welfare and the 3Rs (level 2)
10 Design of procedures and projects (level 1)
11 Design of procedures and projects (level 2)

Task specific modules:
20 Anaesthesia for minor procedures
21 Advanced anaesthesia for surgical and prolonged procedures
22 Principles of surgery

Literature

The course uses the book Principles of laboratory animal science, revised edition, 2001, L.F.M. van Zutphen, V. Baumans and F. Ohl (eds.) (ISBN 13: 978-0-444-50612-2).

The studyguide will be provided to registered participants on the first day of the course.