Laboratory Animal Science

EU Function B

Please note that admission to this course is only given to participants who have a previous course in Laboratory Animal Science EU Function AD (previously FELASA category B) or a course corresponding to that. 

Aim and content

The course is a function B course according to the EU Directive 2010/63/EU Article 23.2 accredited by the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations (FELASA) and approved by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries under the Danish Government.

The course gives theoretic introduction to planning and designing animal experiments, as well as housing and proper use of laboratory animals, and how to replace, refine and reduce the use of live animals for research. It adheres to the EU Directive 2010/63/EU, and to the more detailed learning outcomes described in the Education and Training Framework by the European Commission expert working group (click here for more info).

After completed course, the participant will thus be entitled to achieve a personal license to independently plan, implement and take responsibility for the design and performance of animal experimentation within the European Union according to the EU Directive 2010/63/EU Article 23.2 and the Danish executive order 1065 of 25/09/2024 §55.

Learning objectives

A student who has met the objectives of the course will be able to:

Knowledge

After completing the course the student is expected to

  • understand that animal experimentation is complicated and requires current training to secure the well-being of the animals and the scientific outcome
  • explain the biological basis of laboratory animal breeding and maintenance, housing and management including basic genetics and reproduction, health monitoring, housing and handling (pre-, intra and post-procedural)
  • explain the legal basis for animal experimentation
  • explain and critically evaluate the scientific methods applied within animal experimentation including blood sampling, injections, principles for drug-development and testing, anesthesia and analgesia and evaluation of pain -and stress related behaviour in laboratory animals
  • discuss the basic biology of laboratory animals including behavioural and physiological needs
  • give examples of commonly applied animal models
  • explain and critically evaluate basic knowledge relating to design and evaluation of studies using live animals

Skills

After completing the course the student is expected to

  • be able to plan an experiment in relation to experimental design, group sizes and reporting
  • discuss and evaluate the basic principles on how to use animals for research
  • discuss and evaluate principles of procedures on their future experiments
  • discuss, evaluate and argue about the ethical basis for the use of animals for research

Competencies

After completing the course the student is expected to

  • independently take responsibility to implement and further develop skills in the performance of basic animal experiments
  • after supplementary examination in practical skills, achieve a personal license to independently plan, implement and take responsibility for the design and performance of animal experimentation within the European Union according to the EU Directive 2010/63/EU Article 23.2 and the Danish executive order 1065 of 25/09/2024 §55.

Participants

PhD students, post-docs and other academic staff, who already have passed the a practical course for EU functions A and D.

Language

English.

Course leaders

Klas Abelson, Associate Professor, PhD
Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Copenhagen.

Axel Kornerup Hansen, Professor, DVM
Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen

Teachers

Staff at the Department of Experimental Medicine and the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at the University of Copenhagen.

Time

The course is offered four times per year:
1. Course start early in February - exam early in April
2. Course start mid April - exam by the end of June
3. Course start early in September - exam early in November
4. Course start mid November - exam by the end of January

  • Theory is offered via online teaching available at all times, with the possibility to meet teachers on regular occasions. 
  • Examination is offered as an online oral exam.

For students unable to take the exam at the ordinary dates, flexible solutions, where the student can select dates for course start and exam after own preferences, can be arranged for an additional cost. The flexible option is selected in the course registration form. 

Workload

E-learning 85 h
Plenary sessions 12 h 
Preparation 95 h
Exam 2 h
Total 194 h

Price

For staff employed at the University of Copenhagen, the fee is 8.900 DKK.

For external participants, the fee is 13.850 DKK.

The flexible option described above cost 11.900 DKK for KU employees and 17.850 DKK for external participants. 

Registration

Registration via the Course registration form