Magda Castelhano-Carlos, Alice Miranda and Margarida Correia-Neves
Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal

We have followed the European Commission recommendations for the Education and training framework for training persons to perform functions a), b), c) and d), according to Directive 2010/63/EU, to build the course programme, including additional modules for a more complete training in Laboratory Animal Science.

Below is the detailed modular content of the course programme:

The classes will be held from February 26th to March 8th, 2024. Click here to download the detailed programme.

For the students enrolled in the MSc and PhD programs of the School of Medicine the course includes additional weeks (from March 15th to May 15th 2024 for practical training under supervision.

The course bibliography includes several materials indicated by the course organizers and lecturers, such as Laboratory Animal Science Books, peer reviewed articles published in scientific journals, relevant website links and videos.

For students attending the full course the evaluation covers the following components: knowledge, competencies/skills and behaviour/attitudes. The assessment process includes continuous assessment. Final grades obtained from continuous evaluation results from the grades obtained in the following elements: 1) Analysis of a publication (knowledge component); 2) Preparation, presentation and discussion of an experimental protocol (knowledge and competences/skills component); 3) Laboratory internship dealing with issues related to the use of animals in experimental work; the grade is based on the quality of the work performed during the 4 weeks, presence and involvement in the feed-back sessions throughout the internship, and on written report, identifying strengths and points to be corrected in the animal house and experiments using animals (knowledge and competences/skills component); 4) Written test (knowledge component); 5) Active and relevant participation (behaviour/attitudes).

For students attending only modules 1, 2, 3.1, 3.2, 4, 5, 6.1, 6.2, 7 and 8 - preparing them for functions a) and d) (Article 23 of Directive 2010/63/EU) - covers the following components: knowledge, competencies/skills and attitudes. The assessment process includes continuous assessment. Final grades obtained from continuous evaluation results from the grades obtained in the following elements: 1) Written test (knowledge component); 2) Active and relevant participation (behaviour/attitudes).

Students attending only module 1 - National Legislation – will be evaluated with a written exam focused on this module content.

To receive a final full certificate, the students should attend all modules of the course.