Species-specific Laboratory Animal Science course Ruminants

The Species-specific Laboratory Animal Science course Ruminants is intended for researchers who are going to plan and perform animal experiments using ruminants (including small ruminants such as sheep and goats) (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 Ruminants 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.
• Because you will work with animals during the course, we would like to remind you that it is wise to get vaccinated against tetanus.
• Courses will only proceed if there are sufficient participants.

This species specific Laboratory Animal Science course is intended for researchers who are going to plan and perform animal experiments using ruminants (including small ruminants such as sheep and goats) (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 3Rs Centre: https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/3rs-centre/education-and-training and the Animal Welfare Body Utrecht: https://ivd-utrecht.nl/en/infocentre/qualified-and-competent

The learning objectives of this course are according to the EC directive ‘Education and Training Framework’ related to Directive EU/2010/63 (see pages 40-74 for the 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 anesthesia – theory
• 8 Minimally invasive procedures without anesthesia – skills

Task specific modules:

• 20 Anaesthesia for minor procedures
• 21 Advanced anesthesia for surgical and prolonged procedures
• 22 Principles of surgery

Entry Requirements:

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

Entrance exam

The Laboratory Animal Science course requires general knowledge on the subjects of anatomy/zoology and physiology. This knowledge is tested in the compulsory entrance exam. You register for the entrance exam and the Laboratory Animal Science course at the same time. The entrance exam consists of multiple choice questions and will take up to 1 hour to complete. click here for additional information about the entrance test.

You can sign up for the entrance exam using the following link

Did you already pass the entrance exam for another Laboratory Animal Science course such as the Introduction to Laboratory Animal Science course? Please mention this when registering.

Registration

Email ovp.vet@uu.nl

Certificate

The certificates for the basic and/or species-specific course will be awarded when you have successfully passed the entrance exam and the final exam of the course.

Payment

For more information about payment, email lascourse-birds@uu.nl

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.