The subject of laboratory animal science and welfare will give students a basic understanding of and ability to discuss animal welfare related to the use of animals in teaching and research. Furthermore, the subject provide insight into the use of laboratory animals and how to ensure good welfare for animals used in scientific work, as well as providing an insight into how animal experiments are planned and implemented in the best possible way.

Learning outcomes:

After completing the course, the student should:

• Having insight into the general welfare and the most important topics in the field of laboratory animal science.
• Could define and use terminology in the field. 
• Understand the relationship between the environment, health, welfare and quality of operation of laboratory animals.
• Could point out the potential health hazards associated with working with laboratory animals and how to minimize these.
• Understand the principle of "the three Rs" (reducenoise, refine, replace)
• Could have a reflective attitude to animal welfare and able to argue about this.
• Know about the most important regulations, legislation and supervision work by the subject area.
• Know the alternatives and supplements to animal testing that exists.
• Know about the main points on how one plan and search for an animal experiments, how to choose art, genetic modificated model, methods, anesthesia, methods of euthanasia etc.
• Be able to explain methods of handling, anesthesia, analgesia and humane euthanasia of experimental animals (including fish) and be able to explain the key principles that form the basis of choosing the type of method and type of equipment for handling and treatment of animals.
• Be able to explain for internal and external factors who can influence an experminental animal and what it can have to say for the outcome in an animal experiment, and how experimental animals health become monitored and how all work is quality assured.
• Be able to explain for how one should work to standardize these factors the most.
• Have insight in the most important factors which include in the drift of an experimental animal department and to conduct a simple evaluation of a department. 

After the practical part the students should:

• Vise at de kan utføre klinisk undersøkelse, håndtering, fiksering, injeksjonsteknikker og blodprøvetaking på mus og rotte.
• Kjenne til driftsrutiner, stellrutiner, hygienerutiner og HMS-rutiner for en vanlig forsøksdyravdeling

Teaching methods and approach:

Theory course consists mainly of lectures, but also movies, tours and problem-solving exercises will be used. The lectures the first week will be together with the veterinary students.

Praktisk opplæring (2 uker, 1 uke internt 2. semester og 1 uke eksternt 4. semester) i stell av forsøksdyr, drift, renhold osv, samt enkle teknikker (injeksjonsmetoder og blodprøvetakings metoder på mus og rotte) i henhold til praksishåndbok.

The lectures are not mandatory.

The 2 weeks of practicals are mandatory and require active participation. Absence must be taken again together with one of the other groups or it can be possible to arrange special days for students who need to retake some of the mandatory practicals. 

Multiple choice exam last day in the second course wekk, together with the veterinary students. Pass / not pass. The requironment for passing is 50 %. In addition there will be an oral group exam the last two days of the last course week. Graded assessment. Both exams must be passed individually to get credits in the subject in total. Total evaluation of the course is a letter-grade (A-F). 

If a student is positioned right between two letter-grades for the final grade in the subject, the score from the multiple choice exam may be taken into account when the final grade is set. 

The 2 weeks of practicals must be passed.