ANIML SC 3100RW - Laboratory Animal Science III

Roseworthy Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

This course aims to instil the major principles of the study of laboratory animals and their utilisation for teaching, research and commercial purposes. This will include developing a scientific understanding of the applications and limitations of various laboratory animal species in addition to practical experience in animal handling and other procedures. Topics will include animal handling, breeding, feeding, maintenance, minor interceptions and minor surgical procedures. Students will be involved with a research project in which relevant aspects of laboratory animal science will be undertaken. Species studied will include mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits. The student will become familiar with processes associated with induction of gastrointestinal diseases and disorders in rats and mice which affect humans. These disorders could include chemotherapy-induced mucositis, gastric ulceration and inflammatory bowel disease. Students will also be exposed to the ways in which the animal models can be utilised, for example, in the testing of new treatment modalities. The course will incorporate two field trips to facilities associated with laboratory animal use.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ANIML SC 3100RW
    Course Laboratory Animal Science III
    Coordinating Unit School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s Roseworthy Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 6 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assumed Knowledge BIOLOGY 1101 or BIOLOGY 1401 or BIOLOGY 1001, AGRIC 2500WT/RW, ANIML SC 2530RW
    Course Description This course aims to instil the major principles of the study of laboratory animals and their utilisation for teaching, research and commercial purposes. This will include developing a scientific understanding of the applications and limitations of various laboratory animal species in addition to practical experience in animal handling and other procedures.

    Topics will include animal handling, breeding, feeding, maintenance, minor interceptions and minor surgical procedures. Students will be involved with a research project in which relevant aspects of laboratory animal science will be undertaken. Species studied will include mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits. The student will become familiar with processes associated with induction of gastrointestinal diseases and disorders in rats and mice which affect humans. These disorders could include chemotherapy-induced mucositis, gastric ulceration and inflammatory bowel disease. Students will also be exposed to the ways in which the animal models can be utilised, for example, in the testing of new treatment modalities.

    The course will incorporate two field trips to facilities associated with laboratory animal use.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Gordon Howarth

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the scientific importance and physical requirements associated with aspects of laboratory animal handling, breeding, feed, maintenance, and minor surgical procedures
    2 Describe the processes associated with induction of gastrointestinal diseases and disorders which affect humans through the use of animal models in laboratory animal species
    3 Locate, analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources
    4 Demonstrate the ability to handle a variety of laboratory animal species, including the collection of material from these specimens
    5 Demonstrate the ability to work as part of a team through the collation and presentation of information in small team-based projects
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1, 2

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1, 2, 3

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    4, 5

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    2, 4

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    5

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    3, 5
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    2 x 1hr lectures, 1 x 1hr tutorial, 1 x 3hr practical per week
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).
    Learning Activities Summary
    Lectures - Background on uses for laboratory animals, including teaching. Physiological features determining suitability of different species. Development of scientific hypotheses and use of laboratory animals to address hypotheses. Biotechnological, biomedical and agricultural end-points for laboratory animals in research.

    Tutorials - Development of hypotheses and planning research proposals.

    Practical classes - Handling animals. Monitoring animal behaviour. Minor procedures - injections, labelling, suturing, etc.

    Field Trips - spend time in two facilities associated with laboratory animal use.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Hurdle Learning Outcome
    Written Exam Summative 30% No 1, 2
    Research reports Summative 40% No 1, 3
    Animal Ethics Application Summative 15% No 1, 2, 3
    Oral Journal Critique Summative 5% No 1, 3
    Written Journal Critique Summative 10% No 4
    Assessment Detail
    Written Exam (Total weighting 30%): A 3 hour final exam will cover the theory aspects of the course.

    Research reports (Total weighting 40%): Students will complete a major Practical report (weighting of 25%) of around 5000 words based on data collected during practical classes which will be due at the end of semester. Students will also complete two minor practical reports, the first is a 1hr online quiz (worth 5%) based on material covered in the 1st two weeks of semester and to be completed within the practical time, and the other involves statistical analysis and interpretation of results of data collected during a practical class (worth 10%).

    Animal Ethics Application (Total weighting 15%): Students will utilise the journal article allocated to them to research  and discuss the guidelines and convention of animal ethics. They will then complete an animal ethics committee application form.

    Oral presentation (Total weighting 5%):
    Working as a group of 4, students will be provided with journal articles relating to a specific aspect of the course and will have to critically evaluate these articles along guidelines that are also provided. Their results are to be presented as a 5 minute oral presentation to the class (with each student in the group providing a critique of one section of the journal article).

    Written Journal Critique (Total weighting 10%): Working individually, students will critique all sections of the journal article allocated to them.


    Submission

    Late Submission
    If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A mark of zero will be allocated to late submitted assessment.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
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