Program Overview

Laboratory Animal Science

Introduction

The Laboratory Animal Science course is a function B course according to the EU Directive 2010/63/EU Article 23.2 accredited by the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations (FELASA) and approved by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries under the Danish Government.

Aim and Content

The course gives a theoretic introduction to planning and designing animal experiments, as well as housing and proper use of laboratory animals, and how to replace, refine and reduce the use of live animals for research. It adheres to the EU Directive 2010/63/EU, and to the more detailed learning outcomes described in the Education and Training Framework by the European Commission expert working group.

Learning Objectives

A student who has met the objectives of the course will be able to:

• understand that animal experimentation is complicated and requires current training to secure the well-being of the animals and the scientific outcome
• explain the biological basis of laboratory animal breeding and maintenance, housing and management including basic genetics and reproduction, health monitoring, housing and handling (pre-, intra and post-procedural)
• explain the legal basis for animal experimentation
• explain and critically evaluate the scientific methods applied within animal experimentation including blood sampling, injections, principles for drug-development and testing, anesthesia and analgesia and evaluation of pain -and stress related behaviour in laboratory animals
• discuss the basic biology of laboratory animals including behavioural and physiological needs
• give examples of commonly applied animal models
• explain and critically evaluate basic knowledge relating to design and evaluation of studies using live animals

Skills

After completing the course the student is expected to:

• be able to plan an experiment in relation to experimental design, group sizes and reporting
• discuss and evaluate the basic principles on how to use animals for research
• discuss and evaluate principles of procedures on their future experiments
• discuss, evaluate and argue about the ethical basis for the use of animals for research

Competencies

After completing the course the student is expected to:

• independently take responsibility to implement and further develop skills in the performance of basic animal experiments
• after supplementary examination in practical skills, achieve a personal license to independently plan, implement and take responsibility for the design and performance of animal experimentation within the European Union according to the EU Directive 2010/63/EU Article 23.2 and the Danish executive order 1065 of 25/09/2024 §55.

Participants

PhD students, post-docs and other academic staff, who already have passed a practical course for EU functions A and D.

Language

English.

Course Leaders

• Klas Abelson, Associate Professor, PhD
• Axel Kornerup Hansen, Professor, DVM

Teachers

Staff at the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at the University of Copenhagen.

Time

The course is offered continuously during the year, where the student can select dates for course start and exam after own preferences.

• Theory is offered via online teaching available at all times, with the possibility to meet teachers on regular occasions.
• Examination is offered as an online oral exam.

Workload

• E-learning: 85 hours
• Plenary sessions: 12 hours
• Preparation: 95 hours
• Exam: 2 hours
• Total: 194 hours

Price

• For staff employed at the University of Copenhagen, the fee is 12,800 DKK.
• For external participants, the fee is 19,200 DKK.