laboratory animal science, welfare, 3 R principle

The goal of this course is to provide the student with enough knowledge concerning the use of laboratory animals, to be able to function as responsible for animal experiments. This course is legally imposed by the government for professionals working with lab animals. The student should acknowledge the advantages and disadvantages of animal use and learn to optimise laboratory animal welfare, especially focusing on the 3 R's: Replacement, Reduction and Refinement of lab animal experiments. The student also acquires knowledge on legal implications and possible alternatives for laboratory animal use.

In several short sessions, topics such as ethics, ethology and stress, legislation, ethical methods of euthanasia, pain and analgesia, animal models and alternatives, extrapolation of experimental data to man, interaction of diseases with animal experiments, housing and environmental enrichment of lab animal cages, sample size determination etc, are discussed. During practical sessions, students practice e.g. statistics and the ethical evaluation of a laboratory animal protocol.

Having successfully completed the courses Anatomy and Physiology of a bachelor program of the university, or having acquired the relevant ending objectives by other means.

The final attainment level is to have knowledge and insight in scientific, legal and ethical aspects of laboratory animal experiments. The responsible for these experiments understands the sociological relevance and implications of the use of animals in experiments and is able to design an animal experiment in a responsible way. He or she possesses knowledge concerning alternatives, will optimise the lab animal welfare and is able to interpret the results obtained in a critical and correct way.

The course material consists of the lecture notes. During the lectures, further information sources such as books and internet sites, are mentioned. The price of the course notes will be around 20 euros

No specific tutoring is provided for this course. Any problems can be discussed through personal contacts with the lecturer.

Classroom lectures; ;

Evaluation during examination period

During examination period: written closed-book exam