one week full-time in semester break + flexible time for stuying and exam preparation
1 SWS Lecture
total workload 45h: 2h contact / 20h background reading / 23h exam preparation
1 SWS Supervised exercise
total workload 45h: 35h contact / 10h background reading

++ Expt. Methods
+ Independent research
+ Scient. Literature
++ Social skills
++ Interdiscipl. knowlg.
+ Scientific English
++ Ethics

Upon successful completion of this course, students
• know the relevant EU legislation governing animal welfare and are able to explain its meaning
in common language
• understand and are able to critically discuss salient ethical concepts in animal experimentation,
such as the three Rs and humane endpoint.
• have basic knowledge of the biology and husbandry of laboratory animal species held at the
University of Oldenburg (rodents or birds or fish)
• are able to critically assess the needs and welfare of animals without compromising scientific
integrity of the investigation
• have practical skills in handling small rodents or birds or fish
• have profound knowledge of anaesthesia, analgesia and basic principles of surgery.
• have practised invasive procedures and euthanasia.
NOTE: These objectives aim to satisfy the requirements for EU directive A „Persons carrying out
animal experiments“ and EU directive D „Persons killing animals”. We aim to obtain
accreditation by the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations (FeLaSa) by 2018.

Background knowledge is taught using the third-party online platform "LAS Interactive" which concludes with a written exam that has to be passed before the practical part. Topics covered are: • Legislation, ethics and the 3Rs • Scientific integrity • Data collection " • Basic biology of rodents, birds and fish • Husbandry, and nutrition of rodents, birds and fish • Animal Welfare • Health monitoring • Pain and distress • Euthanasia Practical procedures will first be demonstrated, important aspects will then be practiced under supervision by every partipant, on an animal model of their choice (rodents, birds or fish): • Handling and external examination • Administration of substances, blood sampling • Euthanasia and dissection • Transcardial perfusion • Anaesthesia and surgery

"LAS interactive" internet-based learning platform
Wolfensohn and Lloyd (2013) Handbook of Laboratory Animal Management and Welfare.
Wiley-Blackwell

Registration procedure / selection criteria: StudIP, sequence of registration

immediately before the practical part

written exam of 90 minutes