MF9495P – Course In Animal Research In Norway (CAREiN) - Practical training

Course content

MF9495P provides practical training with handling and basic procedures in mice and rats. MF9495P is a mandatory addition to theoretical training in experimental animal science for all students who intend to perform and conduct hands-on animal experiments themselves under Functions A and D at UiO and OUS, in accordance with Articles 23 and 24 of the EU Directive 2010/63/EU. (Function A = person carrying out procedures on animals and Function D = euthanasia of animals). Function D is not stated on the course diploma since function D is covered by a common core module for functions A-B-C-D (theoretical part) and is an included core module for Function A in MF9495P (practical part).

Practical training is an integral part of the requirements in the Norwegian Regulation on Animal Experiment, § 24 and Annex E, Points 1-11, and adheres to the practical training requirements for Core Modules for functions A and D in the EU Education and Training Framework.

Documentation of theoretical training in relevant species is a prerequisite to qualify for practical training and enrollment in MF9495P. Hence, MF9495P is only a relevant course for students who have signed up for the national theoretical CAREIN course at UiB the same semester or have previously completed MF9495T, CAREIN, or a similar theoretical experimental animal course.

Students who require practical training in handling of laboratory rodents are expected to complete such practical training in the laboratory animal facility at their own institution. The laboratory animal facility that provides practical training must adhere to a practical training manual defined by the CAREiN consortium (developed in collaboration between UiT, NTNU, UiB and UiO). The practical training must be organized by CAREiN-accredited instructors at the animal facilities.

See also

• CAREIN (national theoretical course at the University of Bergen since 2023, developed and organized by the CAREIN consortium).
•  MF9495T Course In Animal Research In Norway (CAREiN) - Theoretical training. (Former theoretical course at UiO, content similar to the national CAREIN).

Learning outcome

The course provides an introduction to and hands-on training in correct handling and basic experimental techniques used in rodents, according to the requirements in the EU Commission Education and Training Framework Document. At the end of the practical training, the competence of the students will be assessed by their ability to accomplish defined assignments, enabling approved students to practice further under the supervision of experienced personnel in their research team and/or department.

Admission to the course

The course is a mandatory PhD course for students working with research animals. 

Inquries about registration and course certificate should be sent to adm-phd-emner@medisin.uio.no

Applicants admitted to a PhD programme at UiO apply to this course in StudentWeb.

Applicants who are not admitted to a PhD programme at UiO must apply for a right to study before they can apply to this course. See information here:  How to apply for a right to study and admission to elective PhD courses in medicine and health sciences

After applying in Studentweb you will receive a web form that you will be asked to fill out in order to complete your registration to this course.

Answers to the course applicants will be sent by e-mail continuously. 

Formal prerequisite knowledge

Students that require admission to this course must have signed up for theoretical CAREIN course at UiB this semester, or previously completed MF9495T or a similar theoretical experimental animal course (e.g. arranged at UiT, NTNU or UiB) with formal prerequisite knowledge similar to theoretical CAREIN. Such theoretical training must be evaluated and approved by the course organizers prior to attending practical training (documentation of theoretical training must be submitted in the web form as described above).

Overlapping courses

• 2 credits overlap with MEDFL5495P – Course In Animal Research In Norway (CAREiN) - Practical training.
• 1 credits overlap with MF9495M.
• 1 credits overlap with MEDFL5495M.

Teaching

The teaching will consist of:

Three days of mandatory practical training in handling of laboratory rodents (mice and rats).

Practical training in handling of laboratory rodents (mice and rats) must be provided by CAREiN-accredited instructors. CAREiN institutions with accredited CAREiN instructors include UiO, UiT, NTNU, NMBU and UiB. Students shall attend practical training organized by the animal facility in the CAREiN institution where the student belongs and/or will be working after completion of the course. If the course participants own institution is not a CAREiN-accredited facility, practical training will be assigned to the nearest facility with CAREiN accredited instructors. The lab animal facility providing the practical training must adhere to the manual of practical training in rodents, as defined by the CAREiN consortium (UiO, UiT, NTNU, UiB and NMBU).

Time slots for practical training:

The majority of course participants attend theoretical CAREIN at UiB and MF9495P in the same semester. Time slots for practical training will vary between animal research facilities and will be scheduled after completion of the obligatory test in the theoretical CAREIN course during the same semester. Time slots for each training facility will be announced via Canvas for this course (MF9495P). Students at UiO and OUS will have the ability to sign themselves up for the preferred time slot at their own institution. Students outside UiO/OUS will be informed of rules and contact persons for practical training at their own institution via Canvas.

Practical training in pigs or model fish:

Students planning to use other species covered in the theoretical modules of CAREiN (pigs or model fish) must organize an additional minimum of 14 hours of relevant training with these species according to learning objectives defined by the course committee. Supervisor(s) providing such training in practical handling and use of pigs or model fish must certify such training and the certificate must be provided for approval to the course committee.

Participation in practical training with rodents (MF9495P) is a prerequisite for obtaining a passed course certificate in other species included in the theoretical training.

Teaching in basic techniques in rodents:

Students participating in the practical training of CAREiN will be introduced to animal handling and the most basic techniques with rodents. After the practical training course, students must train and practice the attained skills under competent supervision in their research group. The goal of the course is for the students to achieve basic skills, thus enabling them to practice further under the supervision of their own research team/ department.

Practical training in basic techniques - mice:

• Observation and characterization of normal mice behavior.
• Euthanasia by CO2 and cervical dislocation.
• Physical handling (lifting and transporting mice), restraint, and earmarking.
• Injections (IP, SC) and blood sampling (vena saphena, pedal vein).
• Dissection and harvest of organs.

Practical training in basic techniques - rat:

• Observation and characterization of normal rat behavior.
• Physical handling (lifting and moving rats), restraint.
• Injections (IP, SC) and blood sampling (vena saphena, pedal vein).

Additional optional techniques may be demonstrated, based on student competence and needs.

To pass the course, students must demonstrate their ability to perform the listed practical skills according to defined competence criteria.

Examination

To pass the practical training and be allowed to practice further under the supervision of experienced personnel and eventually perform and conduct animal experiments on their own, the student must demonstrate sufficient competence during practical handling and performance of procedures with experimental animals.

Course Diploma:

Upon satisfactory completion of MF9495P, students will be provided with a course diploma that documents the basic practical training that is required for performing EU functions A and D, and the species included in the training.

The course diploma from MF9495P is not a lab animal course diploma in itself. To fulfill requirements in the EU directive, the practical course diploma must be supported by documentation of theoretical training with relevant species in EU functions A, B and D (national theoretical CAREIN course at UiB, previous completion of MF9495T, or a similar theoretical experimental animal course).

The course diploma from UiO (Functions A certificate) will be issued by the Student administration, stating the species included in the training (minimum rodents).

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.