Laboratory animal science / Radiation safety 

5AM01 is composed of the three-week course on Laboratory animal science and the one-week course Working with radionuclides level 5B.

Course on Laboratory Animal Science

The program of the course on laboratory animal science comprises the requirements cited in article 9 of the Wet op de dierproeven (Experiments on Animals Act) and the Felasa category C demands. The certificate of completion of the course together with an academic degree in biomedical science will lead to a legal recognition to design animal experiments in the Netherlands. The biggest part of the course is also intended by students and researchers of other specializations as biology and medicine. For BMS students an -in dept- assignment, carried out autonomously, on an issue concerning the use of animals in scientific research is included.

The course will focus on the responsible and appropriate use of animals in scientific experiments in which alternatives (refinement, reduction, replacement) play an essential role.

The student:

- will be able to make an ethical argumentation whether the use of laboratory animals in a specific experiment is acceptable (the benefits outweigh the expected adverse effects)

- has insight into the consequences of the animal experiment on the welfare/distress of the laboratory animal and how to effectively tackle this

- will form a critical attitude towards the use of animals in scientific research

- will be able to design an appropriate animal experiment which meets the legal requirements and scientific demands (statistics for example)

- has insight into the possibilities for alternative methods (reduction, refinement and replacement).

Course on Radiation safety (working with radionuclides level 5B)

The course has the aim to gain knowledge and skills into safely handling radioactive materials and sources. The course is particularly designed on applications in hospitals and research laboratories. Upon successfully passing the course the student will receive a certificate which is valid in the Netherlands and gives the right to work autonomous with radioactive materials. For information, please contact T. de Leeuw. Phone 024-36(19656) or mail:

The module 5AM01 is obligatory for the specialization Pathobiology and is recommended for human movement sciences, toxicology and occupational and environmental health.

Laboratory animal science:

ethical, welfare, and legislative aspects of using animals for research; biology, husbandry, pathology, microbiology, anaesthesia and analgesia of laboratory animals, experimental procedures, alternatives to animal use, analysis of relevant scientific literature and design and planning of animal experiments

Radiation safety:

radiation physics, radiation risk and effects, practical radiation safety, legislation

Laboratory animal science:

Textbook in Dutch: L.F.M. van Zutphen, V. Baumans en A.C. Beynen (Eds.), 2003. Handboek Proefdierkunde; proefdieren, dierproeven, alternatieven en ethiek. Elsevier gezondheidszorg, Maarssen. Vierde (niet herziene) druk. ISBN 9789035226159.

Textbook in English: L.F.M. van Zutphen, V. Baumans and A.C. Beynen (Eds.) (2001). Principles of Laboratory Animal Science. A Contribution to the humane use and care of animals and to the quality of experimental results. Elsevier, Maarssen, Second (Revised) Edition. ISBN 13: 978-0-444-50612-2.

A module guide will be available.

Radiaton safety:

Practical Radiation Protection, G. Brouwer en J. van den Eijnde, Heron reeks, Syntax Media, ISBN 9077423036. Students have to buy the book before the start of the course.

Radiation Protection level 5B, reader, will be provided by the AMD.

The course on Laboratory animal science is organised by the Centraal Dierenlaboratorium (http://www.umcn.nl/cdl). The course is lectured in English. The examination is based on a written exam, the evaluation of the group work (design of an animal experiment, critical analysis of an article etc.) and an assignment, carried out autonomously, on an issue concerning the use of animals in scientific research.

The course Working with radionuclides level 5B is organised by the AMD (http://www.ru.nl/amd/cursussen) and is given in English. The course is separately evaluated by a written exam.

The end result of the module 5AM01 is determined by the weighed average of the outcome of both courses.