Course - Laboratory Animal Science for Aquatic Research - BI3101
BI3101 - Laboratory Animal Science for Aquatic Research
About
New from the academic year 2024/2025
Examination arrangement
Examination arrangement: Aggregate score
Grade: Passed / Not Passed
| Evaluation | Weighting | Duration | Grade deviation | Examination aids |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home examination | 50/100 | 2 weeks | ||
| School exam | 50/100 | 4 hours | D |
Course content
This course is for people who are going to work with live aquatic animals for scientific purposes. People who are going to work with live rodents, pigs or model fish for scientific purposes are directed to the national course in laboratory animal science, CareIn. Link to CareIn
Laboratory animal science (LAS) is a multidiciplinary branch of science. People who will work with research animals, or plan and design experiments involving live animals, need adequate education and training in LAS before they can start their work. This course aims to give the necessary theoretical qualifications to work with live aquatic animals for scientific purposes.
The main aim of this course is to ensure ethical and humane handling of aquatic animals and the collection of informative, objective and reproducible research data. The course follows the theoretical requirements described in the Norwegian regulation on animal experimentation (FOR-2015-06-18-761) §25 and annex E. Additionally, the course aims to follow the theoretical requirements described in the Education and Training Framework by the European Commission to fulfill the requirements for functions (a) (persons who carry out procedures on animals), (b) (persons who design procedures and projects) and (d) (persons who kill animals). The focus of the species-specific parts of the training will be towards aquatic animals.
After completion of this course the participants need practical training with animals. This is organized at the research animal facility at the candidates' home institution.
The course is organized as one part containing general modules for laboratory animal science, and one part focusing on fish and aquatic animals.
Topics included in the general part:
- General and specific legislation
- Ethics, animal welfare and 3R (levels 1 and 2)
- Health hazards
- Humane endpoints
- Severity classification
- Humane killing of aquatic animals
- Public administration and the course of events in animal experiments
- Design and statistics
Topics included in the part for fish and aquatic animals:
- Experimental conditions
- Stress, biorythms and acclimatization
- Pain and suffering
- Anesthesia
- Handling
- Surgical procedures
- Aggression and hierarchy formation
- Health monitoring and microbiological qualities
- Genetically modified fish
Learning outcome
After completing the course, the student should be able to:
- Identify and describe the national and European legislation which regulate the scientific use of animals
- Describe the authorisation that is needed before acting as a user, breeder or supplier of laboratory animals and especially the authorisation required for projects
- Indicate who bears primary responsibility for the animals undergoing procedures
- Describe the differing views within society concerning the scientific use of animals
- Identify ethical and animal welfare issues in their own work
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the principle of the 3Rs, list examples of how the 3Rs can be implemented in research projects and list sources of information related to the 3Rs
- Describe the severity classification system and give examples of each category
- Describe the basic biology of the relevant animal species, including basic anatomy, physiology, reproduction and behaviour; and recognise the importance of attending to biological and behavioural needs
- Describe the importance of providing an enriched environment to laboratory animals and give examples of environmental enrichment that is appropriate to the species
- Describe the environmental factors of importance for maintaining an appropriate health status for the animals
- Describe the biological consequences of acclimatization, habituation and training
- Describe potential biosecurity and risk assessment factors associated with laboratory and field work
- Describe abnormal behaviour and signs of discomfort, pain, suffering or distress
- Discuss methods available for assessing animal welfare
- Describe the principle of implementing early humane endpoints and how this implementation can influence animal health and welfare during the course of an experiment
- Define the term "humane killing" and list appropriate euthanasia methods for the relevant animal species
- Recognise that the choice of a euthanasia method may influence the scientific outcome
- Describe appropriate methods and principles for handling animals, and describe common techniques / procedures, including administration and sampling techniques
- Describe where to find relevant and up-to-date information about refinement of animal experiments
- List the different types of formal experimental designs
- Identify the experimental unit
- Describe the variables affecting significance, including the meaning of statistical power and the "p-value"
- Describe how to monitor the microbiological health of laboratory animals
- Indicate some of the problems associated with pain recognition and pain management in animals
Learning methods and activities
The theoretical teaching will happen partly as digital self-studies using e-based learning tools with tests and assignments, and partly as lectures (given online or in an auditorium).
The e-based learning tools is course material that will be made available in Blackboard. There will be tests and other assignments to most of the course modules. Completion of tests and assignments is mandatory. The deadline will be given around the start of the semester.
People who will work with live animals need practical training. The practical training is not part of this course. The practical training needs to be supervised by persons with relevant and up-to-date competence regarding the species and the techniques. Supervision shall take place until the candidate can demonstrate acceptable performance without unnecessary stress to the animals.
People who complete the theoretical course and the practical training will get a course certificate that confirms training to fulfil functions (a) (performing procedures on animals), (b) (designing procedures and projects) and (d) (killing animals). Persons who complete only the theoretical course will get a course certificate that confirms training to fulfil function (b).
Compulsory assignments
- Module assignments
Further on evaluation
Written exam and home exam are equally weighted at 50% each. Both exams must be passed to pass the course. Minimum requirement for passed exam is 70%
If the written exam is evaluated as "failed" the written exam must be repeated. If the home exam is evaluated as "failed" a new home exam must be submitted.
Recommended previous knowledge
Basic knowledge in anatomy and physiology, competence in statistics, knowledge about literature searches on the internet and in libraries
Required previous knowledge
A 3-year education at university or college level is a prerequisite in order for the participant to plan and design procedures and projects (Function (b) in the EU Directive 2010/63).
Enrollment in a PhD programme or master's programme at NTNU. Other people with a master's degree or education at a higher level than master's degree can apply to the course as external participants. More information about how to apply can be found here
External applicants with an education lower than a master's degree are referred to the course MDV6003; Laboratory Animal Science for Researchers.
Course materials
The course syllabus will be the learning material to be used during the course, and in addition a selection of articles and other written material that will be made available for the students. As supportive literature, a text book in laboratory animal science for fish research/aquatic animals is recommended.
No
Version: 1
Credits:
7.5 SP
Study level: Second degree level
Term no.: 1
Teaching semester: AUTUMN 2024
Language of instruction: English
Location: Trondheim , Trondheim
- Zoophysiology
- Biotechnology/Aqua Culture
- Biology
- Marine Biology
Examination
Examination arrangement: Aggregate score
- Term Status code Evaluation Weighting Examination aids Date Time Examination system Room *
- Autumn ORD School exam 50/100 D 2024-11-25 15:00 INSPERA
-
Room Building Number of candidates SL520 Sluppenvegen 14 2 SL425 Sluppenvegen 14 2 SL111 blå sone Sluppenvegen 14 28 -
Autumn
ORD
Home examination
50/100
Release
2024-11-26Submission
2024-12-10
13:00
INSPERA
13:00 -
Room Building Number of candidates - Spring ORD School exam 50/100 D INSPERA
-
Room Building Number of candidates - Spring ORD Home examination 50/100 INSPERA
-
Room Building Number of candidates
- * The location (room) for a written examination is published 3 days before examination date. If more than one room is listed, you will find your room at Studentweb.
For more information regarding registration for examination and examination procedures, see "Innsida - Exams"