Laboratory Animal Science

Scope
Organization
Teaching staff
Themes
Programme
Bibliography
Evaluation
Registration

Scope

The course aims to prepare researchers for the appropriate use of animals in scientific experiments. This three-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 performing 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.

Organization

Alice Miranda and Magda Castelhano-Carlos
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

Teaching staff

INTERNAL FACULTY

Alice Miranda
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

Bárbara Coimbra
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

Celine S. Gonçalves
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

Hugo Almeida
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

Joana Margarida Silva
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

Jorge Diogo da Silva
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

Magda Castelhano-Carlos
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

Patrícia Maciel
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

Sara Duarte-Silva
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

INVITED FACULTY

Ana Paula Martins
Direção-Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária, Ministério da Agricultura, Portugal

Nuno Franco
I3s - Instituto em Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Porto, Portugal

Teresa de La Cueva Bueno
Charles River Laboratories, Spain

Vera Baumans
Department Animals in Science and Society, Division of Laboratory Animal Science, Utrecht University, The Netherlands

Themes

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:

Modules		Functions according to Directive 2010/63/EU
1	National (and European) Legislation	a	b	c	d
2	Ethics, animal welfare and the Three Rs (level 1)	a	b	c	d
3.1	Basic and appropriate biology Ð species specific (theory)	a	b	c	d
3.2	Basic and appropriate biology Ð species specific (practical)	a		c	d
4	Animal care, health and management Ð species specific (theory)	a	b	c	d
5	Recognition of pain, suffering and distress - species specific	a	b	c	d
6.1	Humane methods of killing (theory)	a	b	c	d
6.2	Humane methods of killing (skills)				d
7	Minimally invasive procedures without anaesthesia Ð species specific (theory)	a	b
8	Minimally invasive procedures without anaesthesia Ð species specific (skills)	a
9	Ethics, animal welfare and the Three Rs (level 2)		b
10	Design of procedures and projects (level 1)		b
11	Design of procedures and projects (level 2)		b
20	Anaesthesia for minor procedures	additional modules
22	Principles of surgery (partially covered)	additional modules
23	Advanced animal husbandry, care and enrichment practices	additional modules

Programme

The classes will be held from March 2nd to 20th, 2026.

Click here to download the detailed programme.

Bibliography

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.

Evaluation

Full course for functions a) b) c) and d), modules 20 and 23

For students attending the full course for functions a) b) c) and d), modules 20 and 23, the assessment process includes continuous assessment, and the final grades are obtained from the following elements:
1) Analysis of a scientific publication (knowledge component);
2) Preparation, presentation and discussion of an experimental protocol (knowledge and competences/skills component);
3) Written test (knowledge component);
4) Active and relevant participation (behaviour/attitudes).

Only functions a), c) and d)

For students attending only modules 1, 2, 3.1, 3.2, 4, 5, 6.1, 6.2, 7, 8 and 23 - preparing them for functions a), c) and d) (Article 23 of Directive 2010/63/EU), the assessment process includes continuous assessment, and the final grades are obtained from:
1) Written test (knowledge component);
2) Active and relevant participation (behaviour/attitudes).

Function b)

For students attending only modules1, 2, 3.1, 4, 5, 6.1, 7, 9, 10, 11 and 23 - preparing them for function b) (Article 23 of Directive 2010/63/EU), the assessment process includes continuous assessment and the final grades are obtained from:
1) Written test (knowledge component);
2) Active and relevant participation (behaviour/attitudes).

Function b) specific

It is also possible to attend only modules 9, 10 and 11 (function b) specific), to complete previous training. In this case the assessment process includes continuous assessment, and the final grades are obtained from the following elements:
1) Analysis of a scientific publication (knowledge component);
2) Preparation, presentation and discussion of an experimental protocol (knowledge and competences/skills component);
3) Written test regarding the modules attended (knowledge component);
4) Active and relevant participation (behaviour/attitudes).

To receive a final certificate, accredited by FELASA, for the functions or modules described above the students should attend all correspondent modules.

Students attending only module 1 (Legislation) - will be evaluated with a written exam focused on this module content and receive the correspondent certificate from the School of Medicine/ ICVS.

Registration

To register, please fill out the registration form. Within 24/72h, we will send you the confirmation and details for the payment. Please contact us if you do not receive a response in the next 5 days.

Registration deadline

February 20th, 2026

Fees

- Full course for functions a), b), c) and d), modules 20, 22 (theory) and 23: 1.000,00 €
- Course for functions a), c), d) and module 23: 500,00 €
- Course for functions a), c) and module 23: 400,00 €
- Course for function b) and module 23: 400,00 €
- Course for completing modules 9, 10 and 11 [function b) specific]: 300,00 €
- Legislation sessions: 50,00 €

The fee includes

- All the necessary material for the course
- Certificate of attendance

Details for the payment

This information will be sent to the accepted participants.

Payment and invoicing policy

After submit the registration form, you will receive an email with the payment details (this may take up to 72 hours). To complete the registration process, you should proceed with the payment and send the receipt to upg-cursos@med.uminho.pt within 5 days.

Your registration will be effective after confirmation of the payment. If payment is not made in due time we will have to cancel the registration.

The correct indication of customer data during the payment, including a correct fiscal number, are the sole responsibility of the customer. y result from inaccurate information provided by the customer, particularly in the issuance of tax documents which are not susceptible to cancellation after issued. If you do not indicate the tax identification number you will be considered as final consumer (non-taxable person).

Cancelation and refund policy

You may cancel your registration at any time, but you will forfeit the full amount, irrespective of the date of cancellation. We cannot refund or return the fee, unless the course suffer any changes or it is cancelled.

FELASA-accredited

This course has been accredited by FELASA - Federation of Laboratory Animal Science Associations (course 074/24), according to their accreditation program. More information is available here.

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT

Scope

Organization

Teaching staff

Themes

Programme

Bibliography

Evaluation

Registration

Information

Contacts

Institutional links

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