Laboratory animal science - Function A

Compulsory course for handling and performing procedures on research animals.

This is a compulsory course for all individuals who will handle and perform procedures on research animals and who either lack previous qualifications in laboratory animal science or need formal documentation of their competence. The practical part of the course covers non-surgical procedures. Individuals intending to perform surgical procedures must undertake additional education.

Eligibility

No previous courses in laboratory animal science are required to be eligible for this course.

Accepted qualification from an EU/EEA member state or the United Kingdom

If you are coming from another country and hold a mutually recognised qualification in laboratory animal science from an EU member state, or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and the United Kingdom, you may be eligible for a competence assessment rather than completing the full course. For further information and assessment of your qualifications, please contact the Named Training and Competency Officer (NTCO).

Course content

The course content is based on the Swedish regulations (Animal Welfare Act, SJVFS 2025:28 saknr L151 and SJVFS 2025:29 saknr L152) and the EU framework for the education and training of persons working with research animals. The course programme has been developed in collaboration with the Nordic Consortium for Laboratory Animal Science Education and Training (NCLASET) and is aligned with its educational framework. The Function A course covers the EU modules 1-8 and as well as 3.2 and 6.2 and includes the following parts:

Swedish law and ethics – online theory
Species specific function A – online theory
Species specific function C/D – online theory
Species specific practical skills function A – on site

All course components must be successfully completed in order to obtain Function A competence

The education unit organises Function A courses for the following species:

Rodents: house mouse, spiny mouse*, rat, hamster, Guinea pig
Rabbit
Aquatic animals: zebrafish, salamander, lamprey
Domestic pig*, minipig*
Non-human primates*

*Contact the education unit for details.

Please find the complete course syllabus here: Course syllabus

Course admission and upcoming course dates

The laboratory animal science function A course is given on demand.

Register for the Function A course

Course fees

Please see the current price list for courses offered by the LAS Education Unit.

Credit points (CPD/ECTS)

The Function A course gives 3 ECTS for doctoral students and postdocs. Fundamental courses do not qualify for CPD points.

Laboratory animal science - Function C/D

This competence level is primarily intended for animal technicians who only work with animal care and euthanasia. This course is not sufficient to perform procedures on laboratory animals. The course programme has been developed in collaboration with the Nordic Consortium for Laboratory Animal Science Education and Training (NCLASET) and is aligned with its educational framework. The course covers the EU modules 1-5 and as well as 6.1 and 6.2 and includes the following parts:

Swedish law and ethics – online theory
Species specific function C/D – online theory
Species specific practical skills function C/D – on site

Register for the Function C/D course

You can find the course fee in the current price list for courses offered by the LAS Education Unit. [Link to price list]