Subject description for 2024/25
Laboratory Animals and Exotic Pets
BI243F
Subject description for 2024/25
Laboratory Animals and Exotic Pets
BI243F
The course introduces the students to different aspects of research animals and animal research
The course introduces the students to different aspects of research animals and animal research: Historical perspectives, the use of research animals today in Norway and internationally, the legal regulations, and ethical and animal welfare issues regarding use of research animals. The course give an introduction to the biology of common laboratory animals like mice, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits, and exotic pets like gerbil, degu, chinchilla, ferret, cage birds and reptiles. Housing, handling and common medical conditions in laboratory animals and exotic pets are included.
After sucessfully completed the course, the student is expected to posess the following knowledge, skills and general competence:
Knowledge:
- Knows about legal regulations, procesess and supervisory regimes that apply when using laboratory animals
- Knows the standards of good animal welfare in laboratory animals
- Knows the concept of "the three R's" and the alternatives to the use of laboratory animals
- Knows about potential occupational hazards and health risks of working in laboratory animal units, and how to minimize these
- Knows techniques for handling, sampling, anesthesia, analgesia and euthanizing different species of laboratory animals
- Has knowledge about the biology of laboratory animals (mice, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits) and exotic pets (gerbils, degus, chinchillas, ferrets, cage birds and reptiles), and have knowledge about husbandry, housing and common medical conditions in these animals
Skills:
- Is able to suggest or discuss measures for improved animal welfare in the keeping and use of laboratory animals
- Is able to suggest and discuss alternatives to laboratory animals in research and education
- Is able to find relevant scientific sources, and use these to inform and explain issues and different topics regarding laboratory animals or exotics
- Can take necessary precautions to reduce occupational health risks in laboratory animal units
General competence:
- Has insight into different aspects of the use of animals in research and education
- Has factual knowledge as a base for ethical reflection upon the use of animals in research and education
- Is able to communicate knowledge of laboratory animals and exotics both in writting and orally
Costs for semester registration and course literature apply.
The student have to provide scrubs and/or a coat for laboratory work.
Compulsory for and only for Bachelor in veterinary Nursing.
Lectures, assignments and seminars
Evaluation using mid-term and final surveys. Students are also encouraged to participate in the central quality surveys.
Compound assessement, grading scale Letter grades
- Compulsory participation in seminars and practical exercises , comprises 0/100 of the grade, grading scale Approved/ Not approved.
- Assessment task - submission and presentation of assignment , comprises 0/100 of the grade, grading scale Approved/ Not approved.
- Written examination, 3 hours, comprises 100/100 of the grade, grading scale Letter grades.
Generating an answer using ChatGPT or similar artificial intelligence and submitting it wholly or partially as one's own answer is considered cheating.
Pen, ruler and up to 2 bilingual dictionaries.
Generating an answer using ChatGPT or similar artificial intelligence and submitting it wholly or partially as one's own answer is considered cheating.