The Laboratory Animal Science course (LAS or "Cursus Proefdierkunde"), to obtain an art. 9 certificate, focuses on the respectful and responsible use of laboratory animals in biomedical research and on the legal constraints thereof

Note:The Amsterdam UMC Doctoral School is not the organizer of this course. You are therefore referred to the provider

The LAS course Amsterdam is a FELASA accredited course. It fulfils the requirements of Function B (designing procedures and projects). After the course you can follow trainings to fulfil the requirements of Function A+D (carrying out procedures on animals + killing animals)

More information and registration:

Application form

Questions? Please contact the course coordinator via cursuspdk@amsterdamumc.nl/ tel. +31 (0)20 - 566 1824 / ARIA-IWO I.0B-110 or via the secretary of the Animal Welfare Body (020-5667113)

Format: The course is given in English

The LAS course integrates basic topics in laboratory animal science with species-specific knowledge on mice and rats. Participants will receive 2 certificates

Introduction to Laboratory Animal Science course includes the modules

  1. National legislation
  2. Ethics, animal welfare and the three R’s (level 1)
  3. Ethics, animal welfare and the three R’s (level 2)

3.1. Basic and appropriate biology (theory)

  1. Animal care, health and management (theory)
  2. Recognition of pain, suffering and distress

6.1. Humane methods of killing (theory)

  1. Design of procedures and projects (level 1)
  2. Design of procedures and projects (level 2)
  3. Anaesthesia for minor procedures
  4. Principles of surgery

The species-specific course on mice and rats includes the modules

3.1 Basic and appropriate biology

  1. Animal care, health and management (theory
  2. Recognition of pain, suffering and distress
  3. Minimally invasive procedures without anesthesia

Teaching Tools online and on location: Lectures, Case study/ Problem-based learning, Student’s presentations, Seminars/ Tutorials, Group work, e-Learning/ on-line learning, Demonstration of Handling/ sampling/ procedures, Hands-on training in Handling/ sampling/ procedures, and Home study

The LAS course runs at least two times a year (in the 1st trimester and in the 3rd trimester), during a three week period with 16 to 26 participants. Hundred percent attendance is mandatory

Course dates:

The next course will run from 24 March until 11 April 2025.

Target Audience: Researchers who will design and manage research projects and procedures which include animal experiments

Those holding a LAS course certificate from one of the member states of the EEA outside the Netherlands may be exempted from certain modules and the corresponding parts of the exam, depending on details of the course followed, as well as on the assessment by the Dutch authorities

The module 1 National Legislation is obligatory at all times

Prerequisitesfor admission to the course

The Animal Welfare Body of the Amsterdam UMC can only register you if you have

1) a relevant EEA master's degree and 2) basic knowledge of laboratory animal science and species-specific knowledge of the species you want to work with

To avoid taking the course with an irrelevant master's degree or degree from outside the EEA, the LAS course coordinator will review your bachelor's and master's degree and transcripts on behalf of the AWB

  • The Duthc authorities require knowledge of basic biology subjrcts up to 18.75ECTS** (=500 study hours) in bachelor's or master's degree including at least 7.5ECTS on organismal anatomy/zoology and 7.5ECTS on physiology

** EC = European Credits (European Credit Transfer System, ECTS) One week of full-time = 40SBU or 1.4EC

Sometimes the names of the bachelor and master subjects mask the content. That is why the course coordinator on behalf of the AWB tests your anatomy and physiology knowledge in a written test preferably 1 week prior to the course or 3-4 weeks after the course

Recommendation: Participation in the course requires sufficient proficiency in English

Study load: 3 weeks, 110 hours, which is comparable to 3.9 EC. 100% attendance is mandatory

ECTS points: 3,9 points

Price: The Laboratory Animal Science course (basic course including species-specific course on mice and rats) costs 1850 euro for participants from Amsterdam UMC, VU and NKI. External participants pay 2150 euro