Education in laboratory animal science
Education in laboratory animal science is compulsory for those who intend to work and conduct research with laboratory animals at Karolinska institutet.

Comparative Medicine offers courses in laboratory animal science to students, doctoral students, researchers, and animal technicians at Karolinska Institutet and from other scientific institutions.
Our vision is to provide the best possible training in laboratory animal science in Sweden. We are continuously looking to develop our existing course portfolio in addition to creating new courses in the area of laboratory animal science.
Educational requirements
Everyone must be adequately educated, trained and competent before working with animals at Karolinska Institutet. The requisite competence must be obtained, maintained and demonstrated (upon request). Educational requirements for animal experimentation
Continuing professional development (CPD)
Calendar seminars and workshops (CDP)
Courses 2020-2021
Ongoing courses throughout the year
Carry out procedures on laboratory animals (Function A, including C and D)
This web-based course includes education for EU modules 1-7 (theory) and EU modules 3.2, 6.2 and 8 (practical skills for minor procedures). Compulsory courses for all persons working with laboratory animals and who do not have previous formal education in laboratory animal science. Species-specific. Minor procedures included.
Swedish law and ethics on the protection of laboratory animals
EU modules 1-2. Theory only / with practical training. Required for participation in all other courses in laboratory animal science, and is mandatory for all persons from countries other than Sweden, or when recommended by the Education & Training Unit.
December 2020
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses in animal research
Systematic reviews are routinely used for scientific purposes in clinical studies, and are also currently rapidly gaining more attention in the field of animal research.
February 2021
Mouse necropsy
This two-day course will provide the theoretical background of performing mouse necropsies, including procedures and methods to preserve organs and tissues for further morphological analysis.
March 2021
Function B – to design procedures and projects involving research animals
EU modules 1-2, 9-11. Emphasis on rodents. Pre-requisite: Function A course. Both major and minor procedures are offered, but for major you can go directly to Procedures requiring surgery and anaesthesia.
May 2021
Anaesthesia, analgesia and surgery in mice and rats
EU modules 20-22. The main goal of this course is to provide education and training in anaesthesia and analgesia in laboratory mice and rats.
June 2021
Animal research: Critical, challenging & creative thinking
Participants will acquire the skills to critically review, plan, conduct, disseminate and communicate research involving the use of animals, animal derived materials and/or animal derived data in accordance with contemporary good practice.
August-september 2021
Function B – to design procedures and projects involving research animals
EU modules 1-2, 9-11. Emphasis on rodents. Pre-requisite: Function A course. Both major and minor procedures are offered, but for major you can go directly to Procedures requiring surgery and anaesthesia.
October 2021
Anaesthesia, analgesia and surgery in mice and rats
EU modules 20-22. The main goal of this course is to provide education and training in anaesthesia and analgesia in laboratory mice and rats.
November 2021
Assessing and alleviation of pain and distress in laboratory animals
The course provides a broad understanding of the physiology of pain and distress, concepts of consciousness in animals, and means of assessing pain and distress in animals.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses in animal research
Systematic reviews are routinely used for scientific purposes in clinical studies, and are also currently rapidly gaining more attention in the field of animal research.
Vascular microsurgery in rat
Hands-on workshops
Minor procedures on mice or rats
E-mailing list
Please subscribe to our e-mailing list to get information about the LAS educational and training activities offered at Comparative Medicine: E-mailing list LAS educational and training activities.
For external applicants (outside KI) who wish to join our mailing list, at least two internal references (from KI) should be given.
Unsubscribe: KM-LAS-EDU-signoff-request@EMAILLIST.KI.SE.
Learning lab for rent
The Learning Lab at Comparative Medicine is available for rent for lectures, practical training and research with laboratory animals.
Contact us
The Education & Training Unit at Comparative Medicine
E-mail: las-edu@km.ki.se