1 week full-time in semester break + flexible time for studying 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

none

++ 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”. 

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

Registration procedure / selection criteria: StudIP. Priority according to urgency of qualification for work.

immediately before the practical part

written exam of 90 minutes