Course in Radiation Ethics in Animal Research
Online 300-hour course in radiation ethics in animal research. 6 modules covering Directive 2010/63/EU (protection of animals used for scientific purposes), Royal Decree 53/2013 (basic rules for the protection of animals used in experimentation) and NC3Rs Experimental Design Assistant. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Describe the uses of radiation in animal research.
Apply the 3Rs principle to experimental design.
Evaluate procedures according to severity and animal welfare criteria.
Apply radiation protection to staff and the animal facility environment.
Interpret the European and Spanish regulatory framework for animal experimentation.
Assess the role of ethics committees and oversight.
Develop an ethical research project involving radiation in animals.
Who it's for
- Radiobiology researcher wishing to specialise in radiation ethics in animal research.
- Animal facility veterinarian wishing to specialise in radiation ethics in animal research.
- Radiation protection supervisor wishing to specialise in radiation ethics in animal research.
- Member of an animal experimentation ethics committee wishing to specialise in radiation ethics in animal research.
- Preclinical imaging technician wishing to specialise in radiation ethics in animal research.
- Animal welfare officer wishing to specialise in radiation ethics in animal research.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter biomedical research.
What you'll work with
- Directive 2010/63/EU (protection of animals used for scientific purposes)
- Royal Decree 53/2013 (basic rules for the protection of animals used in experimentation)
- Directive 2013/59/Euratom (basic safety standards)
- Royal Decree 1029/2022 (protection of health against ionising radiation)
- ARRIVE 2.0 Guidelines
- European Convention ETS 123 (protection of vertebrate animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes)
- ICRP 108 (reference animals and plants)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Uses of radiation in animal biomedical research1.2Preclinical imaging and experimental radiotherapy1.3Isotope labelling and metabolic studies1.4Irradiation of samples and animals1.5Legal framework for the protection of animals used in experimentation1.6Principle of replacement, reduction and refinement1.7Project authorisation and authorised bodies1.8Role of the designated veterinarian1.9Dual framework: animal welfare and radiation protection1.10Exercise: identify the obligations of a project
2.1Scientific question and the need for an animal model2.2Sample size calculation2.3Reducing animal numbers through design2.4In vitro and in silico alternatives2.5Choice of species and strain2.6Minimum necessary radiation dose2.7Fractionation and irradiation protocols2.8Humane endpoints2.9Protocol registration and publication2.10Practice: critically review a design
3.1Housing and environmental enrichment3.2Assessment of pain and distress3.3Anaesthesia, analgesia and sedation3.4Handling during image acquisition3.5Restraint and associated stress3.6Signs of radiotoxicity and clinical monitoring3.7Humane euthanasia criteria3.8Classification of procedure severity3.9Recording observations and traceability3.10Practice: clinical monitoring sheet
4.1Zoning of the animal facility with isotopes4.2Shielding and laboratory equipment4.3Handling radiopharmaceuticals in small volumes4.4Contamination from excreta and bedding4.5Management of radioactive biological waste4.6Carcasses and tissues with residual activity4.7Dosimetry of research staff4.8Written procedures and training4.9Response to spills and contamination4.10Practice: laboratory working procedure
5.1Deliberation on harm to the animal and expected benefit5.2Documented harm and benefit analysis5.3Ethics committee: operation and criteria5.4Public transparency and communication of research5.5Pressure to publish and its effect on design5.6Reuse of data and animals5.7Mandatory training for research staff5.8Common inspections and non-conformities5.9Culture of responsibility within the group5.10Practice: ethical opinion on a real project
6.1Choice of scientific question6.2Justification of the animal model and alternatives considered6.3Experimental design and sample size6.4Irradiation and imaging protocol6.5Welfare plan and endpoints6.6Laboratory radiation protection plan6.7Waste management6.8Harm and benefit analysis6.9Project report for the committee6.10Defence of the project
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The software used is NC3Rs Experimental Design Assistant, GraphPad Prism, IDAC-Dose, R, in free, academic or trial versions. Practical work is based on real cases: reviewing a procedure before an authorised body, calculating doses in animal models, and designing experiments applying the 3Rs criteria. Assessment is continuous across modules, plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Describe the uses of radiation in animal research.
Apply the 3Rs principle to experimental design.
Evaluate procedures according to severity and animal welfare criteria.
Apply radiation protection to staff and the animal facility environment.
Interpret the European and Spanish regulatory framework for animal experimentation.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme consists of 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with full-time work.
You will work with NC3Rs Experimental Design Assistant, GraphPad Prism, IDAC-Dose and R. Free, academic or trial versions are used, and the tutor will indicate the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official title issued by the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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