DYR202 Laboratory Animal Science

Credits (ECTS):10

Course responsible:Christer Wiggen Johnsen

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Norsk

Course frequency:Annually. Theoretical teaching in the autumn semester (1st semester), and practical training in the spring semester (2nd semester).

Nominal workload:30 hours x 10 credits = 300 hours. We expect the students to work with colloquium assignments and prepare for the exam in addition to the scheduled programme.

Teaching and exam period:Fall and spring

About this course

The course laboratory animal science will give the students basic knowledge about the use of animals in research, and increased understanding of ethical issues and the legislation related to laboratory animals. Further, the course will give insight into how research with laboratory animals is planned and implemented in the best possible way.

Total 5 weeks (3 weeks theory + exam + 2 weeks practical training in 2nd semester). The course is approved when both the theoretical and practical part of the course are approved.

Learning outcome

After completing the course, the students should:

  • Have knowledge about the legislation within the field.
  • Be able to explain general ethical aspects and animal welfare issues related to research in laboratory animals.
  • Understand the principle of "the three Rs" (reduce, refine, replace).
  • Have knowledge about the main criteria needed to apply and get permission to perform animal experiments.
  • Be able to explain the biology, housing and feeding of laboratory animals.
  • Have knowledge about genetical qualities, and related advantages/disadvantages.
  • Be able to explain the labeling methods recommended for the different species.
  • Be able to explain environmental factors that are important for animal welfare and standardization of experiments.
  • Understand the main principles that support the choice of method for handling, injections and blood sampling of laboratory animals.
  • Understand the main human health risks related to working with laboratory animals and how we can minimize these risks.
  • Have knowledge about specific conditions that apply to production animals and wild animals in a research setting.
  • Have knowledge about which methods/preparations are used for anesthesia and analgesia in laboratory animals.
  • Be able to explain which methods are used/recommended for humane euthanasia of laboratory animals.
  • Know about how we can assess pain in laboratory animals and how humane endpoints are determined.
  • Have knowledge about the main infectious diseases that can occur in laboratory animals.
  • Understand how health monitoring is carried out and why this is important for ensuring the quality of the experiments.
  • Have knowledge about alternative methods for research in laboratory animals that exsist and those that are being developed.
  • Know about what quality assurance systems and regulations for internal control that apply to a laboratory animal facility.
  • Know about possibilities and tasks related to accreditation.
  • Know about how the Norwegian Food Authorities and the laboratory animal environments interact and how animal welfare organizations excert influence.

After the practical part the students should be able to:

  • Perform clinical examination, handling, fixation and specific techniques (methods for injection, blood sampling and euthanazia) on laboratory animals according to the manual for practical training.
  • Know routines for husbandry, care, hygiene and health security and environment (HSE) in a laboratory animal facility.

DYR202 will help the students acquire the skills and knowledge described in the following ACOVENE Competences from ACOVENEs Dossier of European Competences for the Veterinary Nurse :

  • EC 1 Health and safety
  • EC 4 Manage clinical environments for procedures and investigations
  • EC 6 Provide and administer nursing care
  • EC 8 Perform Laboratory Diagnostic Tests
  • EC 12 Assist in the provision of anaesthetics to animals
  • EC 13 Dispense and administer medication
  • Learning activities

    Teaching methods and approach:

    The teaching consists mainly of lectures, videos ,quiz, colloquium assignments, discussion groups and visits to different laboratory animal facilites. The lectures the first week can be held together with the veterinary students.

    The practical training (2 weeks in 2nd semester) in care of laboratory animals, cleaning and other daily routines that apply to operating a laboratory animal facility, as well as specific techniques (injections, blood sampling and humane euthanasia) according to the manual for the practical work.

  • Teaching support
    The course teachers will be available for guiding the students related to the topics covered in lectures, colloquia and practical teaching. In addition, the teachers will be available to answer questions via email, telephone or alternatively by personal meeting during normal working hours by appointment as far as it is possible during the course weeks.
  • Prerequisites
    The previous courses in the study programme
  • Recommended prerequisites
    The previous courses in the study programme
  • Assessment method

    Written exam on the last day of the last course week in 1. semester. Information about the examination and schedules will be given at Canvas. The exams will be given in wiseflow, without literature support. Lecturer(s) will be present. The exam will last for 2 hours. Pass/fail assessment. Requirement for passing is 80%.

    Written exam and mandatory activities need to be approved to pass the course.



  • Examiner scheme
    Written exams in wiseflow. One internal and one external sensor. The results will be published 3 weeks after the exam.
  • Mandatory activity

    The lectures are not mandatory.

    The visits to the external laboratory animal facilities are mandatory. Absence requires a medical certificate.

    The two weeks of practical training is mandatory and require active participation. The manuals for the practical training contain the mandatory activities that requires approval to have the course approved. If a student is absent, the training must be performed with one of the other groups or if possible, separate weeks will be arranged for the students who need to perform mandatory training due to previous absence.

    Multiple choice test during practical teaching 2. semester, available in Canvas the last practical teaching week. Pass/fail, requirement for pass is 80%.

  • Notes
    No requirements for own equipment.
  • Teaching hours

    The first semester: the first two course weeks include lectures and visits to different animal facilities in Ås and Oslo. The last week of the course include group work, self-studies and preparation for the exams. Written exam the last day the last course week.

    The second semester: two weeks with practical training. Parts of the practical training may be done at external animal facilities in Oslo.

  • Preferential right
    B-DYR
  • Reduction of credits
    FDYRLD04
  • Admission requirements
    The course is only available to students enrolled in the study programme for veterinary nurses at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at NMBU.