SASK19001U Experimental Animal Nutrition and Physiology
MSc Programme in Animal Science - restricted elective
The contents of the course covers:
1) Presentation of experimental techniques for assessment of whole
animal function and metabolism of nutrients at the whole animal and
organ level (in vivo/in vitro). This covers both a theoretical
introduction as well as practical demonstrations of key techniques.
2) A 30 h block which fulfills the educational requirements of the
EU directive 2010/63/EU (function "a" and "d")
and the Danish National Authority Dyreforsøgstilsynet for
persons working with experimental animals or assisting in animal
experiments (a diploma will be issued upon completion of the
course).
3) Principles necessary for planning and implementing in vivo or in
vitro scientific investigations as well as for critically
evaluating results obtained from such investigations. This includes
such aspects as protocol planning, experimental design and data
evaluation.
Knowledge
- describe the basic principles behind experimental methods for
measuring nutritional characteristics of feedstuffs, feed intake,
chewing activity, in vivo and in vitro digestibility,
- describe the methods for measuring digestibility in different
segments of the digestive tract in monogastic and ruminant animals
by use of cannulation and marker techniques, passage rate and
digestion kinetics
- describe the theoretical background of energy transfer from
cellular to the whole body level, techniques and methods for
measuring nitrogen, energy balances, heat production and substrate
oxidation
- describe the use of molecular biological techniques in analysis
of cell and tissue function
- describe catheter techniques used to study tissue and organ
nutrient fluxes, practical guidelines for sampling of blood, rumen
fluid etc,
- describe appropriate experimental designs and basic statistical
approaches for use with these methodologies
- describe the legislation, handling and management of laboratory
animals
- integrate the outcomes from the methodologies, experimental
design work and legislative aspects to obtain an understanding of
the ethical use of animals in research
Skills
- be able to describe principles and methods used in selected in
vivo demonstrations
- be able to evaluate experimental results/data from different in
vivo measurements.
- be able to discus limitations, advantages and their potential
applications of the different experimental methods
- be able to interpret experimental results based on theoretical
knowledge
- be able to use relevant legislation for conducting animal
experiments in an ethical way
- that the student demonstrates the ability to euthanize laboratory rodents.
(compulsory)
Competences
- ability to cooperate with other researches, both inter and intra
disciplinary at different levels and with different degree of
responsibility
- ability to adopt above described knowledge and skills
- ability to disseminate methodology and obtained results to
professionals, lay persons and general public
- ability to perform animal experiments legally according to EU
directive 2010/63/EU function "a" and "d"
The written examination is obligatory in order to obtain EU
approved diploma to be allowed working with experimental
animals.
Selected reviews/research papers and a list of the literature to
be used can be obtained from the course coordinators.
Dorte Bratbo Sørensen (ed.): Forsøgsdyrkundskab - En håndbog om forsøgsdyr og dyreforsøg. Kapitel 1-2; 4-10. Saxo.com
Dorte Bratbo Sørensen (ed.): Laboratory Animal Science - A handbook on experimental animals and animal experimentation. Chapters 1-2; 4-10. Saxo.com
Evaluation model: Survey-based model
Students should be aware that it is a compulsory component to pass the course that each student euthanize laboratory rodents.
- Category
- Hours
- Colloquia
- 10
- Exam
- 2
- Lectures
- 25
- Practical exercises
- 70
- Preparation
- 69
- Theory exercises
- 30
- Total
- 206
Open for credit transfer students and other external students. Apply here:
Credit transfer students:
http://healthsciences.ku.dk/education/other-programme-options/credit-transfer-students/
Other external students:
https://healthsciences.ku.dk/education/student-mobility/guest-students/
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Written examination, 30 minutes Written SASK19001E under invigilationOral examination, 20 minutes Oral SASK19002EThe written exam SASK19001E 3,75 ECTS at PBV consists of 16 questions of which up to 5 questions can be multiple choice. Every question gives 0, 1, 2 or 3 points, except multiple choice questions, which give either 0 or 3 points. To pass the examination, a total of at least 24 points must be awarded.
The written examination is obligatory in order to obtain EU approved diploma to be allowed working with experimental animals.
The oral examination SASK19002E 3,5 ECTS at the department (20 minutes for for preparation) regarding other topics covered in the course, where the student will draw a question based on demonstrations covered in the course.
Both exams must be passed separately. - Exam registration requirements
100 % participation in exercises with small laboratory animals.
It is part of the accreditation of the course as basis for participation in animal experiments according to ministerial order No 12 January 7 2016 issued by the Ministry of Food and Environment that course graduates must have participated in practical exercise, which includes handling, as well as some minor procedures and killing by accepted methods of live animals.
- Aid
- All aids allowed
Written examination (to obtain EU approved diploma): All books, reports etc. allowed and USB- stick.
Oral examination: All books, reports etc. allowed. - Marking scale
- passed/not passed
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
More than one internal examiner
Criteria for exam assesment
To achieve the grade passed, the student shall (in an adequate level) be able to:
Knowledge
- describe the basic principles behind experimental methods for measuring feed characteristics, intake, digestibility and nutrient physiological regulation and metabolism
- describe the legislation, handling and management of laboratory animals
Skills
- be able to describe principles and methods and evaluate experimental results/data from different in vivo measurements
- be able to use relevant legislation for conducting animal experiments in an ethical way
Competences
- ability to adopt above described knowledge and skills
- be able to discus limitations, advantages and their potential applications of the different experimental methods
- ability to disseminate methodology and obtained results to professionals, lay persons and general public
- be able to use relevant legislation for conducting animal
experiments in an ethical way
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- SASK19001U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
- 1 block
There is no lectures in block week 8.
- Placement
- Block 1
- Schedule
- A
- Course capacity
- 30 students
- Continuing and further education
- Study board
- The Study Board for Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science
Contracting department
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Course Coordinators
- Einar Vargas Bello Perez (evargasb@sund.ku.dk)