Course in Animal Research in Norway, Laboratory animals, theoretical, Function A,B, and D

The main aim of the course is to ensure ethical and humane use of animals in biomedical research. Students will learn the principles of experimental design for animal studies and how to collect reliable, objective and reproducible research data. The course covers the use of common model organisms in biomedical research: laboratory rodents, swine, model fish (zebrafish, medaka).

The course covers the mandatory theoretical training for personnel that will plan and/or perform animal experiments in Norway. The course meets the competence requirements specified in the Norwegian Regulation on Animal Research (FOR-2015-06-18-761, § 24 and Annex E), corresponding to Article 23 and Annex 5 of Directive 2010/63/EU. The course fulfils the theoretical training requirements for Function A and B in the European Commission´s Education and Training Framework (https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/fca9ae7f-2554-11e9-8d04-01aa75ed71a1/language-enf)

NOTE: To perform procedures on animals (Function A), students must also complete CAREIN practical training. The practical training is offered as separate courses at the cooperating universities in CAREIN (NMBU, NTNU, UiB, UiO and UiT).

The theoretical course covers the modules necessary for function A and B for the relevant species groups. Specifically, the following theoretical EU-modules are covered by the course:

Core modules:

1. National legislation

2. Ethics, animal welfare and the Three Rs (level 1)

3.1 Basic and appropriate biology

4. Animal care, health and management

5. Recognition of pain, suffering, and distress)

6.1 Humane methods of killing

Function specific modules for function A and B:

7. Minimally invasive procedures without anaesthesia

9. Ethics, animal welfare and the Three Rs (level 2)

10. Design of procedures and projects (level 1)

11. Design of procedures and projects (level 2)

Additional task specific modules for function A and B:

20. Anaesthesia for minor procedures

21. Advanced anaesthesia for surgical or prolonged procedures

22. Principles of surgery

The detailed learning outcomes for the course are aligned with the learning outcomes for the topical modules in the EU Commission´s Education and Training Framework (https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/fca9ae7f-2554-11e9-8d04-01aa75ed71a1/language-en).

After completing the course, students will achieve the following overall learning outcomes described in terms of knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge

The student can:

• Account for the Norwegian and European legislation regulating animal research
• Understand the key roles and responsibilities of personnel involved in animal research
• Identify and understand ethical and welfare issues raised by the use of animals in research
• Describe and discuss the principles of the anda til 3r sugggest how to implement the 3rs in a specific animal study proposal
• Describe basic biology (anatomy, physiology, genetics, behaviour) of relevant animal models
• Account for appropriate handling and husbandry practices of relevant animal models
• Recognise and describe the principles of pain, pain management, humane endpoints and humane killing of relevant animal models
• Identify potential human health hazards when handling research animals and describe appropriate protective measures
• Account for commonly applied species-specific experimental procedures
• Identify and explain the key factors to consider when planning and designing animal experiments
• Describe and understand the principles of anaesthesia and analgesia
• Describe and understand the basic surgical principles

Skills

The student can...

• consider the use of and apply anda til alternative supplements to animal experiments
• make qualified assessments of and respond appropriately to ethical and animal welfare issues
• actively identify and consider factors that may affect the scientific outcome and reliability of animal experiments
• make qualified decisions on the use of analgesia, anaesthesia, humane endpoints and euthanasia
• hage a conscious attitude towards preventing human health hazards

General competence

The student is...

• able to plan and supervise animal studies
• perform procedures on animals under supervision, and over time work independently

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