Admission requirements
MSc Biology
Description
The course aims to provide knowledge that is essential for understanding the humane use and care of fish as laboratory animals and for the quality of research using fish species. This course is obligatory before starting an internship that involves handling or experimental use of fish species.
One part of the course is a general introduction about the specific responsibilities (both legal and moral) of a scientist, as the central person in the design and conduct of animal experiments, for the management of the study and the welfare of the animals used. Legal and ethical frameworks for the use of laboratory animals will be discussed. Common laboratory species will be introduced, including some features of anatomy and physiology. Information required for ethical review, the choice of animal species, the origin of the animals, animal housing and husbandry, environmental conditions, humane endpoints, whether or not induction of a disease is needed, and the methods for anesthesia or humane killing are discussed.
This general introduction to laboratory animal science is complemented by a specific theoretical and practical program on the use of fish as experimental animals. The program will cover different research areas using fish species, including, biomedical research, developmental research, behavioral research, ecotoxicology, aquaculture-related research and wildlife studies. An overview will be given about commonly used fish species in these research areas, and, in particular, a strong emphasis will be placed on the use of zebrafish for biomedical research.
In a series of lectures, the course participants will be introduced to fish development, anatomy and physiology, the immune system, disease modelling and drug screening, recognition of discomfort, stress and pain, disease symptoms and health monitoring, anesthesia/euthanasia methods, genetic modification, behavioral research, experiments with fish in the wild. Finally, an introduction will be given about zebrafish facility management and husbandry.
The practical program takes place at the Zebrafish Facility of the Faculty of Science and consists of a introduction at the facility and several practical assignments related to observing and handling of zebrafish.
Course objectives
After completion of the course, students can:
reproduce and discuss the ethical and legal considerations that apply to experiments on fish in the laboratory or in the wild.
categorize and evaluate the levels of discomfort, stress and pain in fish experiments.
name procedures for analgesia, anesthesia and euthanasia and assess when to apply humane endpoints.
explain the purpose of the essential requirements of a laboratory fish facility and the procedures for water quality control, husbandry and handling of fish.
recognize and describe common symptoms of fish disease and explain the procedures for disease prevention and health monitoring.
reproduce the basic characteristics of fish development, anatomy, physiology and the immune system and can explain how these features affect the results of an animal study.
name the commonly used fish species in animal experimentation and give examples of their use in behavioral research, biomedical research, toxicology, aquaculture research and research in the wild.
explain the basic techniques that are used for genetic modification in fish species.
Timetable
In MyTimetable, you can find all course and programme schedules, allowing you to create your personal timetable. Activities for which you have enrolled via MyStudyMap will automatically appear in your timetable.
Additionally, you can easily link MyTimetable to a calendar app on your phone, and schedule changes will be automatically updated in your calendar. You can also choose to receive email notifications about schedule changes. You can enable notifications in Settings after logging in.
Questions? Watch the video, read the instructions, or contact the ISSC helpdesk.
Note: Joint Degree students from Leiden/Delft need to combine information from both the Leiden and Delft MyTimetables to see a complete schedule. This video explains how to do it.
Mode of instruction
This is a 2 week program with lectures, group assignments and practical assignments.
The course consists of a lecture program given by various teachers, written group assignments and practical assignments in the zebrafish facility.
Assessment method
The final grade is based on a written examination (75%) and a written assignment (25%). Practical program is pass/fail.
Attendance to all lectures and the practical is compulsory in order to receive the certificate.
Minimum grade:
Courses require a minimum, unrounded 5.5 grade to complete.
If a course has 2 or more written partial exams, the minimum grade only applies to the weighted average of the exams.
For partial grades from components other than exams (e.g. practicals, seminars, writing assignments), the bottom grade does apply to the individual components.
Please refer to the Student Charter for an overview of regulations.
Reading list
Registration
As a student, you are responsible for enrolling on time through MyStudyMap.
In this short video, you can see step-by-step how to enrol for courses in MyStudyMap.
Extensive information about the operation of MyStudyMap can be found here.
There are two enrolment periods per year:
Enrolment for the fall opens in July
Enrolment for the spring opens in December
See this page for more information about deadlines and enrolling for courses and exams.
Note:
It is mandatory to enrol for all activities of a course that you are going to follow.
Your enrolment is only complete when you submit your course planning in the ‘Ready for enrolment’ tab by clicking ‘Send’.
Not being enrolled for an exam/resit means that you are not allowed to participate in the exam/resit.
Contact
Daily coordinator for questions and administrative issues: G.C. van der Velden MSc
Email: g.c.van.der.velden@biology.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
The maximum number of participants is limited to 40 students. Students starting a internship that involves handling or experimental use of fish species have priority.
Software
Starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, the Faculty of Science will use the software distribution platform Academic Software. Through this platform, you can access the software needed for specific courses in your studies. For some software, your laptop must meet certain system requirements, which will be specified with the software. It is important to install the software before the start of the course. More information about the laptop requirements can be found on the student website.