Course manual 2022/2023
Course content
- Animals, home-cage environment and animal care. (rat, mouse, guinea pig, hamster, rabbit).
- Laboratory animals, stress and well-being.
- Anatomy and Physiology (rat, mouse, guinea pig, hamster, rabbit).
- Hygiene and application of barrier systems.
- Animals and animal testing; Legal aspects and their applicability.
- Handling animals (Theory and Practice)).
- Experimental design and Alternatives to Animal Testing.
- Ethics and the assessment of DEC protocols.
- Biotechnical act in an animal lab.
- Experiments in practice.
- Establish a lawful animal experiment (only implementation 3Rs) and write DEC protocol.
- Theory Anesthesia / Pain Management.
- Assignment Anesthesia / pain-fighting protocol including making calculations.
- Responsible use of laboratory animals.
- Knowledge of animal distress and applying Humane endpoints.
- Statistics for animal use.
- Route of administration and reduction methods: theory.
- Route of administration and reduction methods: practice.
- Ethical discussion.
- Experimental protocol writing, applying 3VS, statistics and ethical considerations.
Study materials
Literature
- Dutch: Handboek proefdierkunde. Auteur C.F.M. Zutphen. Redactie L.F.M. van Zutphen, V. Baumans, A.C. BeynenBeynen Taal Nederlands Afmetingen 19x238x170 mm Gewicht 805,00 gram Druk 5 ISBN10 9035229819 ISBN13 9789035229815 Costs € 83.50
- Or English: Principles of Laboratory Animal Science. Elsevier Ltd (Revised edition, 2001) L.F.M. van Zutphen, V. Baumans, A.C. Beijnen ISBN 978-0-444-50612-3. Costs: 219,00
Other
- It is advised to purchase the Dutch version, content of both books is identical
Objectives
- Has knowledge of the major anatomical and physiological characteristics of the commonly used laboratory animal species, with respect to the choice of the proper animal model.
- Has knowledge of the requirements of laboratory animals with respect to housing, nutrition and care.
- Possesses the necessary knowledge for responsible animal handling and also obtained some practical experience in this respect.
- Obtained some practical experience in the oral administration of substances and the performance of various injection techniques.
- Has taken note of the different methods for the collection of body fluids.
- Has taken note of a number of other frequently used experimental techniques (amongst others cannulation, insertion of catheters).
- Possesses the knowledge to recognize pain as well as discomfort in laboratory animals and to define humane endpoints.
- Has knowledge of the most important methods of anesthesia, analgesia and euthanasia, which can be used in various laboratory animal species.
- Has knowledge of the possible impact of environmental and procedural factors on experimental results.
- Has knowledge of the importance of hygienic measures and barrier systems.
- Has knowledge of the impact of diseases in laboratory animals on the experimental approach and knows about possible health monitoring.
- Knows about safety aspects and occupational health when working with laboratory animals.
- Knows about the specific demands that are necessary for a correct preparation and performance of animal experimental techniques and research.
- Knows the possibilities that statistics can offer to optimize the use of laboratory animals.
- Knows the guidelines with respect to Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).
- Knows about the possibilities and limitations of alternative techniques.
- Is familiar with legislation concerning the use of laboratory animals.
- Knows about basic principles, which guide towards the ethical judgment of animal experiments.
Teaching methods
- Lecture
- Seminar
- Computer lab session/practical training
- Self-study
- Presentation/symposium
- Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis
The course is mainly theoretical, but contains some practical work and assignments. The goal is to be able to design en perform animal experiments in an appropriate manner and according to the Dutch law.
Learning activities
Activity | Number of hours |
Hoorcollege | 44 |
Practicum | 6 |
Tentamen | 3 |
Werkcollege | 8 |
Zelfstudie | 107 |
Attendance
Requirements of the programme concerning attendance (OER-B):
- Attendance during practical components exercises is mandatory.
Assessment
Fraud and plagiarism
The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl
Course structure
| Weeknummer | Onderwerpen | Studiestof |
| 1 | | |
| 2 | | |
| 3 | | |
| 4 | | |
The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.
- Maximum number of 40 master students. Students will be selected based on their study programme and motivation. Priority will be given to 2nd year master students and the students of the master track Molecular Neuroscience.
- Please note that Art. 9 certification includes successfully completing the Laboratory Animals CourseAND your MSc programme.
- This course will be given in english.
Coordinator