Score Sheet Course for Animal Experimentation (online)
Learn how to effectively use score sheets for your experiments
Score sheets are a vital component of every animal experiment. They serve as structured tools to monitor animal welfare, ensure consistency in data collection, and support compliance with ethical and legal requirements. More importantly they provide an objective and consistent threshold for humane interventions to prevent unintentional suffering. However, for score sheets to be effective, they must be carefully adapted to the specific aims and conditions of each experiment.
In this workshop, you will:
- understand the importance of using a score sheet as part of responsible research and animal welfare monitoring
- learn, step by step, how to design your own score sheet adapted to your experimental protocol
- prepare a score sheet and discuss it with all other participants and the supervisors
What is the course about?
The course will begin with an introduction on the importance of score sheets, the different possibilities for creating one, and the most effective method for developing a score sheet that can be applied to any animal species and experimental situation. Real score sheets will then be evaluated to identify common problems and pitfalls in their design. The final step will be the creation of a score sheet in groups, followed by a joint discussion to refine the method of designing score sheets.
What's in it for me as a professional?
By the end of the workshop, you will not only understand the theoretical basis of score sheets but will also have a practical draft tailored to your own work, refined through group discussion and supervisor feedback.
Who is this course for?
This one-day workshop is intended for researchers at all levels. It provides practical tools and guidance for fulfilling license requirements efficiently and transparently, so it will be especially valuable for those preparing an animal experimentation license, such as:
- scientists
- animal caretakers
- study directors
- animal welfare bodies
- designated vets
- competent authorities
Ready to join this course?
At Utrecht University, you’re guaranteed high-quality education at a leading international research university. What makes us unique is that we are the only university in the Netherlands conducting scientific research into how professionals learn. That means our teaching methods are designed specifically to meet your needs as a working professional.
Our top researchers share the latest insights from their fields while participants bring in their own practical expertise. This dynamic exchange creates new perspectives you can immediately apply in your work—while also expanding your professional network.
All our programmes for professionals are built with flexibility in mind. Learn on campus or online, often in the evenings, so you can balance your studies seamlessly with work and personal life.
Programme of the day
Time | Subject |
|---|---|
08:30 – 8:50 | Introduction: Goals of the course |
08:50 – 10:00 | Lecture on monitoring parameters/interventions: Why and how to prepare a score sheet? |
10:00 – 10:15 | Break |
10:15 -11:15 | A few examples of score sheets: Evaluation and discussion or real score sheets used in former years in canton Zürich |
11:15 – 12:00 | Exercise 2 – Step 1-2 in 4 working groups (Breakout rooms): Work on checklist step 1-2 for a given study design |
12:00 – 12:45 | Lunch |
12:45 – 13:45 | Discussion Results Exercise 2, Part 1 |
13:45 – 14:45 | Exercise 2 – Step 3-7 in 4 working groups (Breakout rooms): Work on checklist step 3-7 for a given study design |
14:45 – 15:45 | 4 working groups (Breakout rooms): Prepare a score sheet for a given study design |
15:45 – 16:00 | Break |
16:00 – 17:15 | Presentation of the score sheets: Open discussion and challenging of designed score sheets |
17:15 – 17:30 | Open questions: Evaluation of the course |
When and where is the course?
The course will take place online on January 19th. You will receive an invitation from the lecturers to participate in the workshop.
Teacher
Dr. Philippe Bugnon
Diplomate Specialised Veterinarian in Laboratory Animal Science (Dipl. SVLAS), University of Zurich
- philippe.bugnon@uzh.ch
Teacher
Dr. Maike Heimann
Diplomate Specialised Veterinarian in Laboratory Animal Science (Dipl. SVLAS), ETH Zürich
- maike-heimann@ethz.ch
Sign up for the Score Sheet Course
For DALAS members the course fee is €257 instead of €292.
Do you have a general question about Continuing education at Utrecht University? The best way to contact us is by emailing professionals@uu.nl. Or you can call us on weekdays at +31 30 253 1018.