Postgraduate Course: Laboratory animal science (B-LAS.4) (VESC11043)
Course Outline
| School | Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
| Course type | Online Distance Learning |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | The aim of this course is to enable students to extend and consolidate the clinical knowledge and skills in Laboratory Animal Science they will have gained at undergraduate level, and the foundation skills developed as part of their RCVS A module. They will be able to evaluate their own standards of practice and develop strategies for continuous improvement in the future, and in particular, when progressing to their C modules. |
| Course description |
This assessment-only course forms part of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice. Students working towards the designated Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (Laboratory Animal Science) will need to complete the following modules: A-FAVP.1 Foundations in Advanced Veterinary Practice, B-LAS.4 (this module), three other C modules (from LAS-designated modules) plus one other B or C module. Upon completion of all the necessary modules, a further synoptic assessment will also be required.
This course focuses on key areas of laboratory animal science, including behaviour, housing, husbandry, genetics, disease diagnosis and control, surgery, and ethics. Greatest emphasis will be given to the most commonly used species (rodents and rabbits), but also non-human primates, fish, birds and those other species used in research including any invertebrates that may be included in future legislation.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2022/23, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Flexible |
| Course Start Date |
08/08/2022 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
98 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
1. Learning diary (40%)
A diary maintained over a period of two months for those in full-time employment as NVS, and 6 months for those in part-time work. This should demonstrate regular contact with laboratory animals in a research facility or laboratory animal breeding establishment, and should document how the role of the NVS was fulfilled during this period.
The diary should include problems encountered (e.g. diseases, welfare problems, problems with model development) and how they were managed, as well as time spent on other aspects of the NVS¿s role, e.g. training, advising on best practice, preventative medicine.
2. Case book (60%)
The case book should contain two case reports of a maximum of 2000 words each. These may comprise:
¿ investigation and/or management of a health or welfare or experimental design problem in a research facility
¿ development of teaching or training of research staff
¿ development and/or refinement of an animal model
¿ development and/or refinements of anaesthetic or peri-operative care protocols
¿ fear and distress minimisation strategies
¿ development and/or refinement of environmental enrichment measures and potential impact on the science
This list is not intended to be prescriptive, but aims to provide some guidance on suitable topics for case reports.
All cases are to have been managed by the student. Cases selected should demonstrate that the student has dealt competently with a range of commonly presented conditions or situations from the area of practice in which they are working. |
| Feedback |
Students will have the option to submit drafts of one case study for formative written feedback to aid in preparation for submission.
Full written feedback will be provided with results, and students are encouraged to contact the programme team to discuss if they have any queries. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of key areas of laboratory animal science
- Understand the interactions between laboratory animals, their environment, and their use in research
- Apply the information gained to advise on the housing, husbandry and use of laboratory animals
- Be aware and advise on the legal and ethical requirements required for use of animals in research procedures in the UK and Europe
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Reading List
| http://resourcelists.ed.ac.uk/levels/certavp.html |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
A. Research and Enquiry
Graduates of the University will be able to create new knowledge and opportunities for learning through the process of research and enquiry. This may be understood in terms of the following:
¿ be able to identify, define and analyse problems and identify or create processes to solve them
¿ be able to exercise critical judgment in creating new understanding
¿ be ready to ask key questions and exercise rational enquiry
¿ be able to critically assess existing understanding and the limitations of their own knowledge and recognise the need to regularly challenge all knowledge
¿ search for, evaluate and use information to develop their knowledge and understanding
¿ have an informed respect for the principles, methods, standards, values and boundaries of their discipline(s) and the capacity to question these
¿ understand economic, legal, ethical, social, cultural and environmental issues in the use of information
¿ recognise the importance of reflecting on their learning experiences and be aware of their own learning style
B. Personal and Intellectual Autonomy
Graduates of the University will be able to work independently and sustainably, in a way that is informed by openness, curiosity and a desire to meet new challenges. This may be understood in terms of the following:
¿ be able to identify processes and strategies for learning
¿ be independent learners who take responsibility for their own learning, and are committed to continuous reflection, self-evaluation and self-improvement
¿ be able to make decisions on the basis of rigorous and independent thought, taking into account ethical and professional issues
¿ be able to use collaboration and debate effectively to test, modify and strengthen their own views
¿ be intellectually curious and able to sustain intellectual interest
¿ be able to respond effectively to unfamiliar problems in unfamiliar contexts
C. Communication
Graduates of the University will recognise and value communication as the tool for negotiating and creating new understanding, collaborating with others, and furthering their own learning. This may be understood in terms of the following:
¿ make effective use of oral, written and visual means to critique, negotiate, create and communicate understanding
¿ use communication as a tool for collaborating and relating to others
¿ further their own learning through effective use of the full range of communication approaches
¿ seek and value open feedback to inform genuine self-awareness
¿ recognise the benefits of communicating with those beyond their immediate environments
¿ use effective communication to articulate their skills as identified through self-reflection
D. Personal Effectiveness
Graduates of the University will be able to effect change and be responsive to the situations and environments in which they operate. This may be understood in terms of the following:
¿ appreciate and use talents constructively, demonstrating self-discipline, motivation, adaptability, persistence and professionalism
¿ be able to create and harness opportunities
¿ be able to manage risk while initiating and managing change
¿ be responsive to their changing surroundings, being both flexible and proactive
¿ have the confidence to make decisions based on their understandings and their personal and intellectual autonomy
¿ be able to flexibly transfer their knowledge, learning, skills and abilities from one context to another
¿ understand social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities and issues
¿ be able to work effectively with others, capitalising on their different thinking, experience and skills
¿ work with, manage, and lead others in ways that value their diversity and equality and that encourage their contribution to the organisation and the wider community
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| Keywords | laboratory animal science,rcvs,certavp,laboratory,ethics |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Ms Sharon Boyd
Tel: (0131 6)51 7449
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Linda Pollock
Tel: (0131) 650 6149
Email: |
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