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.

After completion of the course, the students should:

• Having insight in general ethics and animal welfare and the most important topics withing the field "laboratory animal science"

• Be able to have a reflected attitude to ethics and animal welfare and have a critical look on the argumentation around the topic animal welfare. 

• Know about the most important regulations, legislations and supervision work in the field.

• Be able to define and use the terminology within the field of study.

• Understand the principle about "The three R's" (reducenoise, refine, replace)

• Know about the main points to how you plan and apply for an animal experiment, how you choose species, genetically modified model, methods, anesthesia, euthanasia method etc. 

• Be able to explain the connection between the environment, health, welfare and quality assurance. 

• Be able to explain internal and external factors that can affect a laboratory animal and how that can change the outcome of the experiment, as well as how animal experiments health is being monitored and how all the work is quality assured. 

• Be able to explain how a person should work to standardize these factors in the best way. 

• Be able to explain the methods of handling, housing, feeding, ID marking, health monitoring, anesthesia, analgesia and euthanasia of experimental animals (including fish), and be able to explain the most important principles which forms the basis for choosing method and type of equipment for handling and treatment of laboratory animals. 

• Kow the potential alternatives and supplements to animal experiments that exists. 

• Be able to point out the potential health risks associated with working with laboratory animals and how you can minimize these dangers. 

After completion of the practical part, the students should:

• Vise at de kan utføre klinisk undersøkelse, håndtering, fiksering, injeksjonsteknikker og blodprøvetaking på mus og rotte.

The teaching is mainly lectures, but is also films and problem tasks will be used. 

The lectures will be together with the veterinary nurse students.

Praktisk opplæring (3 halve dager, internt 2. semester) i håndtering, fiksering, klinisk undersøkelse, injeksjonsmetoder og blodprøvetakings metoder på mus og rotte.

Lectures are not mandatory.

9 hours practice in 2nd semester is mandatory and requires 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. 

Exam last day in the course week will be a multiple choice exam. Pass/not pass. The requironment for pass is 50 %. Re-sit is arranged 4 weeks after the censorship

Practice in 2nd semester have to be done and passed. 

3 days of lectures, 21 hours.

3 half days with practicals, 9 hours.

Requirements for personal equipment

None