The course aims to prepare researchers for the appropriate use of animals in scientific experiments. This two-week theoretical and practical course will, in general terms, cover the biology and husbandry of laboratory animals, aspects of microbiology and disease, health hazards and safe practices in the animal house, the design and conduct of animal experiments, anaesthesia, analgesia and experimental procedures, as well as the ethical and legal aspects of animal experimentation and alternatives to animal use.

Detailed information
The full course programme follows the European Commission recommendations for the Education and training framework, covering training modules required for persons of all functions a), b) c) and d), as stated in Article 23 of Directive 2010/63/EU (including national legislation) or in Article 31 of Decreto-Lei n.º 113/2013 of 7th August. Additional training on husbandry and principles of surgery is also included.
It is also possible to attend only training modules required for functions a) c) and d) mentioned above, or only training modules required for function b). All these options are accredited by FELASA.
Researchers that have already attended a full Laboratory Animal Science course abroad and are required by the National Competent authority to do exclusively module 1 (Legislation), can also do it in our course, receiving the correspondent certificate.

Target audience
Participants should have a BSc to attend the course, preferably in biological, health sciences or related areas. The course is designed for researchers initiating (directing or just carrying out) projects encompassing laboratory animal experimentation.