Postgraduate Certificate in Laboratory Animal Science/ PGCert (LAS) is a 6 moths/ 20 credits program conducted by the Department of Physiology, on annual basis. The program has been designed for the graduates in Bachelor(SLFQ 5) or Honorary Bachelor(SLFQ 6) degree from a recognized university who expect to have knowledge and principles (anatomical, physiological and behavioural) that are essential for the use and care of animals recruited for research, to apply ethical principles in lab animal research when designing an animal experiment and so on.
- demonstrate knowledge and principles (anatomical, physiological and behavioural) that are essential for the use and care of animals recruited for research.
- apply ethical principles in lab animal research when designing an animal experiment.
- recognize appropriate sedative, anaesthetic and analgesic drugs and methods that could be used in surgeries of lab animals.
- discuss the physical environment and optimal conditions necessary for management of an animal house.
- demonstrate all relevant practical aspects in animal experiments including animal handling, feeding, injecting substances, harvesting organs and suturing.
- use efficiently and effectively ‘Replacement, Refinement, Reduction, Responsibilities and Rehabilitation’ concepts in laboratory animal science when conducting an animal experiment.
- critically appraise published reports and journal articles related to laboratory animal science.
- use appropriate statistical knowledge and skills in conducting research.
- develop suitable alternative models using local material with creativity and innovation.
- use the knowledge acquired to develop a protocol using lab animals and/or alternatives.
- Duration: 6 months
- Credits: 20
- SLQF level: 7
A Bachelor (SLFQ 5) or Honorary Bachelor (SLFQ 6) degree from a recognized university, in either Veterinary/Bioscience/Pharmacy/Biomedical/Medical Laboratory Science/ Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery /Medical Laboratory Technology/ Nursing/ Physiotherapy/ Genetics/ Medical/ Dental are eligible to apply.
A person who wishes to become a student of the course shall make an application to the Deputy Registrar/Assistant Registrar of the Faculty of Medicine, Kynsey road, Colombo 08 in the prescribed application form. Applications received by the Deputy Registrar/Assistant Registrar shall be referred to the Director of the course. The Director, having examined the applications with necessary qualifications, shall make the selection. The size of the intake will be announced at the time of calling for applications.
Minimum number of students to run the course: 10
- Lectures
- Practical sessions
- Video presentations
- Group discussions/ tasks
- Self-directed learning
- Formative assessments
- Minimum 80% attendance in all teaching sessions is needed to be eligible to sit the End of course Assessment.
- Group tasks (20% marks of this activity will be taken for final mark)
- End of course assessment – 3 hour SEQ paper (80% marks will be taken for final mark)
- Component B and C are compulsory for all the eligible participants.
- Minimum 50% for components B and C will be the pass mark.
- Those who qualify under A, B, C, D and E will be eligible for the Postgraduate Certificate in Laboratory Animal Science.
- Those who do not obtain 50% for components B and C with 80% attendance will be able to sit the End of course assessment with the next batch in the following year.
- Those who do not qualify under A, B, C, D and E in the two consecutive attempts given will have to enroll as a new student and follow the course from the beginning if he/she wants to qualify for the Certificate.
International
- Prof Vera Baumans, Professor Emeritus, Utrecht University, Netherlands DVM, PhD
- Dr Jan Meijer, Utrecht University, Netherlands DVM, PhD
- Dr Esther Langen, Associate Professor, Utrecht University, Netherlands BSc, MSc, PhD
- Prof Cynthia Pekow, Past President of the International Council for Laboratory Animal Science and Chief of Veterinary Medical Unit Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System Research, USA MS, DVM, DACLAM, CPIA
- Prof Toru Takeo Professor, Center for Animal Resources and Development (CARD), Kumamoto University, Japan BSc, MSc, PhD
- Prof M A Akbarsha,Professor Emeritus & Research Coordinator, National College, Tiruchirappalli & General Secretary of the Society for Alternatives to Animal Testing, India BSc, PhD
- Dr Vijay Pal Singh, Assistant Professor, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, India DVM, PhD
- Dr Arvind Ingle Scientific Officer, Laboratory Animal Facility, Tata Memorial Centre, ACTREC, Navi Mumbai DVM, MVSc, PhD
- Dr Suresh Poosala, Founder and CEO, OncoSeek Bio Pvt Ltd.,Founder and Director, Acasta Health Pvt Ltd.,CSO, Genome Valley Research Pvt Ltd.,Advisor APCARL and NARF, Government of India DVM, PhD
- Dr Montip Getayacarmin, Senior Director for South-East Asia at AAALAC International DVM, DACLAM
- Dr Sasithorne Srimeechai, Occupational health and safety advisor at the Laboratory Animal Center, Thammasat University, Thailand MSc, PhD
- Prof Cholawart Pacharinsak, Assistant Professor, Director of Veterinary Anesthesia, Pain Management and Surgery Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA, USA DVM, PhD, DACVAA
- Dr Patrick Sharp, Executive Director, Veterinary Clinical Services, University of California, Merced Merced, California USA & Adjunct Professor, School of Veterinary and Life Science,Murdoch University Perth (Murdoch), Western Australia DVM, MRCVS, MANZCVS, DACLAM
- Dr Angu Bala Ganesh Asst Professor of Anatomy, Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Medical College and Hospital, Siruvachur, Perambalur, Tamilnadu, India BSc, MSc, PhD
- Dr Adrian Smith Secretary of Norecopa of Norway DVM, PhD, Diplomat in LAS
- Mr. Pierre Verreault ,Executive Director, Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) BSc, MSc
- Dr. Marc T. Avey, Executive Director of Standards, Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) MSc, PhD
Local – Internal
- Professor Mangala Gunatilake Dept. of Physiology UOC, BVSc, PhD, MLAS, CertLAS
- Prof Dilshani Dissanayake MBBS, PhD
- Prof Ranil Jayawardane MBBS, PhD
- Prof Priyanga Ranasinghe MBBS, PhD
- Prof Hemali Goonasekera MBBS, MD
- Dr Dulani Samaranayake MBBS, MD
- Dr Meran K Ediriweera BSc, PhD
- Prof Preethi Udugama BSc, PhD
- Dr Kamal Perera BAMS, PhD
- Dr Sachini Amarasekera BSc, PhD
- Dr Hasanthi Rathnadiwakara PhD student, Dept. of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo BVSc, PhD (reading)
Local – External
- Dr Mayuri Thammitiyagodage, Veterinary Surgeon, Animal Centre, Medical Research Institute BVSc, MPhil, JICA Cert. in LAS
- Dr Ramani Karunakeran, Veterinary Surgeon, Animal Centre, Medical Research Institute BVSc, MA
- Prof Krishanthi Premarathne, Senior Lecturer, Wayambe University of Sri Lanka BVSc, MPhil, PhD
- Dr Kavindra Wijesundara Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Peradeniya BVSc, PhD
- Dr Kalpani Rathnayake, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Health Sciences, CINEC Campus BSc, PhD
- Dr Ureshani Karunarathne, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura BSc, PhD
- Dr Varuni Gunathilake, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura BSc, PhD
- Mr Dilan de Silva, Dept. of Applied Life Science, Yonsei University Graduate School, 50 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, South Korea BSc, PhD reading
- Dr Chamini Kanetiwela de Silva, Project Manager, Clinical Trials Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya BSc, MSc, PhD
** Lectures by internationals if they are not in a position to attend, will be conducted as video presentations sent by them.
Course Fee: Rs. 100,000/-
Application Fee: Rs. 1000/- per application
Registration Fee: Rs. 5000/- per student
Borrowing of books from the Dept. Library : Rs. 3000/- per student (Refundable)
Professor Mangala Gunatilake,
Course Organizer/ Director,
Department of Physiology, 6th Floor, UCFM Tower.
Phone: +94 71 830 8096
E-mail:mangalag@physiol.cmb.ac.lk