BIO-3503 Aquatic Animal Welfare - 5 stp

Master course for biology students and masterstudents in fishery science.

The course is compulsory for all students of the Master in Biology program, undertaking experiments on live animals (vertebrates and decapods). 

The course is available as a singular course.

Applicants from Nordic countries: 1st of June for the autumn semester and 1 December for the spring semester.

Exchange students and Fulbright students: 1st of October for the the spring semester and 15 April for the autumn semester.

Admission requires a Bachelor`s degree (180 ECTS) or equivalent qualification, with a major in biology of minimum 80 ECTS.

Local admission, application code 9371 -  Master`s level singular course.

The course is mandatory for researchers who carry out experiments with aquatic animals (fish and decapods) and follows the minimum recommendations for education and training for researchers (FELASA C researcher). 

The course should give the students sufficient knowledge and background for conducting legal, environmentally safe end ethically acceptable experimental work with live fish and decapods in Norway. 

Learning outcome 

Knowledge 

After completing the course, the student should have a: 

• thorough knowledge of the legislation and regulations in animal experimentation, including the Animal welfare act (Dyrevelferdsloven) and the aquaculture management regulation (Akvakulturdriftsforskriften) 
• sound understanding of the ethical guidelines for the use of animals in research and develop a respectful attitude while performing experimental work with live animal 
• sufficient knowledge about relevant and important aspects of fish and decapod biology, including pain perception, stressors and stress responses, health and welfare, anesthesia/immobilization, acclimation, environmental needs and tagging methods 
•  sound understanding of the welfare indicator tools for assessing fish welfare in aquaculture 

Skills 

After completing the course, the student should be able to: 

• write an animal experimentation application and apply to the Norwegian animal research authority (Forsøksdyrutvalget) for permission to do experiments 
• conduct experimental work in accordance with the "the three R's" (Replace, Reduce, Refine) and the ethical guidelines for the use of animals in research 

General competence 

After completing the course, the student should have developed: 

• ethically sound attitudes towards animals used in experiments reflecting "the three R's" (Replace, Reduce, Refine) and focusing on fish and decapod welfare  
• understanding of the most important principles for choosing methods for handling and treating fish and decapods; understand the principles behind anesthesia, analgesia and humane killing of lab animals 
• understanding of the general principles and steps for planning animal experiments, including quality control  
• skills to assess welfare via operational and laboratory welfare indicators in aquaculture 
• skills to assess published information on animal experiments  

Lectures, seminars and activities at the fish research station in Kårvik. 

One day excursion to the research station in Kårvik will include practical demonstrations of experiment preparation, fish handling, blood sampling, anaesthesia, etc 

The necessary safety training will be provided at Kårvik. 

Written exam (3 hours).Grade: Pass/Fail.

Work requirement:

In order to sit the examination, students must complete and gain approval for the following coursework requirements: 

• Writing an essay on a given topic related to fish or decapod welfare. 
• Obligatory attendance on lectures, seminars and excursion.

Re-sit exam:

There will be a re-sit examination for students that did not pass the previous ordinary examination.  

The date for the exam can be changed. The final date will be announced at your faculty early in May and early in November.