Species-specific Laboratory Animal Science course pigs

The Species-specific Laboratory Animal Science course pigs is intended for researchers who are going to plan and perform animal experiments using pigs (ex. Art. 9. Of the Dutch Act on animal experimentation or Wod). You need two certificates: the basic certificate from the introduction 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. Since a couple of years, we also organize different species specific courses, which are (like the basic course) FELASA accredited (function A+B for the basic course PLUS a species specific course).

The Species-specific Laboratory Animal Science course pigs covers species-specific knowledge which is relevant when setting up and performing animal experiments using these species. Among other things, we discuss animal welfare, behaviour, husbandry and nutrition, and provide some basic practical experience when it comes to handling the animals and basic experimental techniques.

Additional information:

• This course is taught in English and Dutch.
• 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 fee (as soon as the fee for 2023 is announced)
• Courses will only proceed if there are sufficient participants.

The learning outcomes of this course are in accordance with the Education and Training Framework guidance document relating to Directive EU/2010/63 see pages 40-74 for all learning outcomes

The following modules are covered:

Core modules:
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 (EU function A+B):
3.2 Basic and appropriate biology – skills
7 Minimally invasive procedures without anaesthesia – theory
8 Minimally invasive procedures without anaesthesia – skills

This species specific Laboratory Animal Science course is intended for researchers who are going to plan and perform animal experiments using these species (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 a certificate from a recognized course in Laboratory Animal Science (a basic 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.

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 het 3Rs Centre and the Animal Welfare Body Utrecht

This course is open to researchers and master students (in a biological, biomedical or zootechnical field of study with sufficient knowledge in the field of anatomy, physiology and biological/biomedical subjects). The course has a mandatory entrance exam (see below).

In order to follow the Laboratory Animal Science course, general knowledge of basic biological subjects is required: anatomy/zoology and physiology. This knowledge is tested in the mandatory entrance test. You can register for both the entrance test and the Laboratory Animal Science course at the same time. The entrance test contains multiple choice questions and takes 1 hour.

You can register for the entrance test via this link.

Have you already taken the entrance test for another course, for example the Basic Course Laboratory Animal Science at UU? Please mention this when you register.

Please contact a.vannes@uu.nl to register for this course.

You will receive a certificate if you have successfully completed the entrance exam and the basic course and/or type-specific course exam. To obtain a qualification, you need two certificates: the basic course and a type-specific course.

Payment

email a.vannes@uu.nl for more information

Cancellation

No fees will be charged for cancellations 22 or more days before the start of the course. For cancellations 7 to 21 days before the start of the course, 50% of the costs will be charged. For cancellations within 7 days before the start of the course or if you do not show up, the full amount will be charged.

Arie van Nes, email: a.vannes@uu.nl