IAT
Level 6
QN: 610/2724/8
Curriculum Active
IAT Level 6 Diploma in Laboratory Animal Science and Technology
Official qualification regulated by Ofqual, awarded by IAT. Classified as a Vocationally-Related Qualification. Total guided learning hours: 1900 hours.
Qualification Level
Level 6
Awarding Body
IAT
Syllabus Units
9 Units
Guided Hours
1900 hrs
Instant access to interactive lessons, quizzes, and spaced revision.
Course Syllabus & Study Modules
Complete breakdown of verified curriculum topics and learning objectives.
1
Establishing a culture of care in research animal facilities
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Identify the different types of culture that can exist in a working environment.Define culture of care and its significance in the workplace on animal and staff welfare.
- Identify approaches for developing a positive/good culture of care
- Recognise and describe the type of cultures and subcultures (absence of empathy and compassion, Culture of Compliance, Culture of Challenge that exists in your workplace and how they affect your workforce.
- Discuss processes to develop and promote an effective workplace culture of care.
- Describe and identify markers of a positive/good workplace environment.
- Discuss the advantages and benefits of introducing and maintaining a positive/good culture of care programme in the workplace.
- Describe what the individual can do
- Describe what a team/group can do
- Describe how first line managers can deliver high levels of staff are and support
- Describe which organisational structures are needed to support 1, 2, 3
- Critically appraise influences that impact the culture of care in the workplace
- Describe how the internal jargon, inter- and intra-disciplinary cooperation and general behaviour impact workplace culture
- Describe how organisational, societal, political, external governance requirements(legal requirements) and environmental influences impact workplace culture.Influence how people conduct themselves at work
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the culture of care
- Create and introduce self-assessment tool to measure the success of change of culture in your workplace.
- Use this self-assessment tool to analyse the impact of any changes made to the culture of your workforce
2
Experimental Design for In Vivo Research
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe in detail the main components of the national legislation regulating the scientific use of animals
- Describe legal responsibilities of those designing procedures and projects
- Describe the key purposes of local and international legislation and associated guidelines that impact on the welfare and use of animals.
- Explain the need to be aware of local arrangements relating to project licence management, e.g. procedures for ordering animals, accommodation standards, disposal of animals, safe working practices and security, and the actions to take in the event of unexpected problems arising with any of these
- Describe the principles of a good scientific strategy that are necessary to achieve robust resultsDefine clear and unambiguous hypotheses
- Evaluate good experimental design, experimental measures and analysis of results. Provide examples of the consequences of failing to implement sound scientific strategy.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the need to take expert advice and use appropriate statistical methods
- recognise causes of biological variability, and ensure consistency between experiments
- Justify on both scientific and ethical grounds, the decision to use living animalsJustifies the choice of models, their origins, estimated numbers and life stages.
- Describe the scientific, ethical and welfare factors influencing the choice of an appropriate animal or non-animal model.
- Describe situations when pilot experiments may be necessary.
- Explain the need to be up to date with developments in laboratory animal science and technology so as to ensure good science and animal welfare
- Implement the Three Rs
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the principles of replacement, reduction and refinement, and of how these ensure good science and good animal welfare.
- Explain the importance of literature and internet searches, discussion with colleagues and with relevant professional bodies in identifying opportunities for applying each ‘R’Describe relevant sources of information relating to ethics, animal welfare and the implementation of the Three Rs.
- Explain how to use different search tools (e.g. EURL ECVAM Search Guide, Go3Rs) and methods of search (e.g. Systematic reviews, meta-analysis).
- Describe examples of alternative methods and research strategies that replace, avoid or complement the use of animals in different types of research programme.
- assess and minimise all of the welfare costs to animals throughout the animals’ lifetime (including adverse effects relating to sourcing, transport, housing, husbandry, handling, procedures and humane killing)
- Explain and give examples of welfare assessment protocols.Define and apply appropriate humane end-points
- establish suitable criteria to identify when the humane endpoint has been reached
3
Genetically altered laboratory mice- models, phenotyping principles and preclinical models
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Show a clear understanding of the different approaches available for generating genetically modified animals.
- Explain how genome editing tools can be used to introduce specific point mutations.
- Describe other approaches for generating genetically altered animals.
- Explain how to implement quality control strategies for embryonic stem cell targeting
- Devise appropriate breeding programmes detailing the key stages
- Select the most appropriate background strain, ensuring its identity (to facilitate comparative studies in separate laboratories). and method of introducing genetic alterations into a mo
- use genome for specified studies Show knowledge of strategies to maintain stock identity and control genetic drift.
- Explain and select appropriate breeding strategies, showing how different crosses can be used to generate cohorts of animals and affect the number of animals used in production.
- Understand the importance of considering animal welfare in generating new models and Home Office and AWERB restrictions
- Identify other strain resources of genetic variation and their potential benefits
- Implement quality control strategies for embryonic stem cell targeting 3 Compare and contrast methods of generating genetically altered models in other species (fish, rats, poultry, livestock) Compare and contrast methods of generating genetically altered models in other species (fish, rats, poultry, livestock)
- Understand the degree of conservation between different species and examples of differences in conserved physiology and how this impacts their application4 Design an experiment using appropriate conditional and/or inducible transgenic technologiesThe importance of appropriate controls for different manipulations Evaluating the specificity (cell, tissue, developmental timepoints) of inducible technologies Understanding the importance of timing and developmental stage at which manipulations may act
- Understand the importance of clearly defining an experimental plan: accounting for every animal in the plan at all stages; randomisation and blinding strategies; clear reporting of losses and any adverse effects; identifying any environmental manipulations and their timing, defining the phenotyping tests and how they may impact each other as well as their optimal timing, defining the data analysis strategy 5 Be able to locate specific lines carrying genetic tools (recombinases etc) mo
- use strains in international repositories and identify key information including nomenclature from the descriptions given
- Be able to find and interpret information. 6 Devise strategies for quality controlling conditional/inducible experiments
- Demonstrate knowledge of genotyping approaches. Show an understanding of approaches to validate the efficiency and specificity of conditional/inducible systems. Understanding the pitfalls – for example deletion of genes in multigene families and the validation of KO using poorly validated antibodies – the wider issues and pitfalls7 Formulate a breeding plan, taking account of power to detect traits and determine appropriate controls for conditional experimentation
- Demonstrate how cohort sizes can be estimated: power calculations
- Understand the efficiencies of different strategies to breed target numbers of animals for cohorts. Consider the logistics of phenotyping when generating cohorts.
- Understand the pros and cons of spreading cohorts over different generations: considerations regarding pooling data
- Understand the potential confounding effects of segregating a mixed genetic background over generations8 Be able to consider what constitutes a preclinical model and how models may be utilisedMapping traits between mo
4
Influencing people with integrity
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Discuss what constitutes integrity and why it is important to underpin influence
- Identify a variety of situations in the workplace where they might need to exert a positive influence
- Describe the importance of acting with integrity in the context of exerting influence, and describe how lack of integrity might undermine the ability to exert influence.Give examples of situations where they want to influence and the difficulties they might face.
- Investigate the characteristics of successful negotiators
- Describe the characteristics of an effective negotiator
- Describe the characteristics of a poor negotiator
- Investigate potential problems and describe strategies
- Plan a negotiation
- Complete a negotiation
- Describe potential problems.
- Identify strategies to mitigate the risks
- Discuss strategies for exerting influence in other workplace situations
- Identify how the learning on effective negotiation can be applied to exerting influence in other workplace situations
- Describe strategies for influencing change towards a desired outcome
- Apply the learning on negotiation skills to influencing in less formal situations.
5
Managing and developing teams
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Determine the role of the team and how it will meet the needs of relevant stakeholders
- Understand the power of both team and organizational culture in managing and developing their team
- Complete a stakeholder analysis
- Identify the purpose and roles of a team and how the team fits in to the success of the organisation Utilise that analysis in building and managing relationships with stakeholders Acknowledge the impact of both team and organizational culture and, as team manager
- appreciate their own role in shaping culture
- Determine the development needs of the team, recognizing what is needed to close the gap between current and optimum performance Locate appropriate resources to support and develop the team Conduct a meaningful assessment of training needs for the team and its members
- Identify and make available accessible, appropriate and effective resources and training for the team
- Discuss relevant leadership and management techniques
- Appreciate how to develop and motivate the team to maintain team effectiveness
- Understand the importance of delegation in supporting team development and effectiveness
- Recognise and use relevant leadership and management techniques
- Recognise how motivation is an integral part of leadership and management and their own role in maintaining motivation across the team
- Use different approaches to delegation at different times and with different team members to drive the motivated team forward
- Understand how to use effective communication techniques to maintain team effectiveness
- Understand the importance and impact of verbal, non-verbal and visual communication techniques in supporting team members to be the best they can be
- Demonstrate powerful listening and questioning skills and use them effectively to influence individual and team outcomes
- Understand the varied factors affecting both individual and team performance
- Understand the most effective process to follow in setting clear and achievable goals for the team Recognize and manage factors affecting both individual and team performance Set
- monitor and manage effective group and individual performance targets that empower team members
6
Managing change
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand what is meant by change management
- Understand established strategies for introducing change into the workplace
- Evaluate current change management processes
- Identify the reasons for change at local and organisational levels Provide examples of different models used in change management
- Recognise methods and resources required to effectively introduce change in the work place
- Gain the knowledge needed to effectively plan and prepare for change management Devise a programme to effectively plan and implement change in the workplace
- Identify what resources are required to successfully introduce and measure the success of a change programme
- Describe the level and type of communication, engagement and support required for change management to be successful
- Determine the characteristics and actions for each phase of the journey through the change programme Acknowledge leadership and other issues that may occur during the change process
- Assess the impact on the workforce of change management
- Identify those affected by change and why
- Recognise and understand how to manage the emotional journey and challenges that people go through when change is introduced
- Understand why people embrace, or are resistant to, change and act in ways that mitigate difficulties
- Describe methods for addressing resistance to change
- Operate within the relevant legal frameworks during the period of transition
- Recognise the need for continual monitoring and review to sustain change. Learn how to effectively facilitate and sustain change in the long term
- Identify and make use of toolkits available to measure and monitor the success of the changes made Introduce systems and approaches to help individuals or teams that have not adapted to change
7
Pain and distress in laboratory animals.
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand current concepts of pain and distress and animal welfare.
- Understand current concepts of pain and distress and animal welfare.Relate these concepts to the use of animal in biomedical research.
- Recognise normal or desirable behaviour and appearance of animals, and abnormal behaviour and signs of discomfort, pain, suffering, or distress.
- Recognise normal or desirable behaviour and appearance of animals, and abnormal behaviour and signs of discomfort, pain, suffering, or distress.Indicate some of the problems associated with pain recognition in animals.
- Discuss factors to be considered and methods available for assessing and recording the welfare of animals e.g. score sheets.
- Describe what a humane end-point is and discuss their use
- Describe what a humane end-point is
- Identify criteria to be used to set humane end-points. Define action to be taken when a humane endpoint is reached and consider possible options for refining methods to finish at an earlier endpoint.
- Describe the severity classificationsDefine severity classifications State examples of each classification
- Explain cumulative severity and the effect this may have on the severity classification.
- Discuss the use of refinement to minimize welfare concerns
- Explain how both procedural and non-procedural harms can have adverse effects on the welfare of animals used in research.
- Describe how refinements can potentially reduce the severity classification of procedures
- Explain why such refinements should aim to decrease both procedural and non-procedural harms.6 Discuss effective welfare assessment strategies
- Explain why a “team” approach, with input from people with different expertise, experience and priorities, e.g. researchers, animal technologists and care staff and the attending veterinarian, should be used to deliver an effective welfare assessment.
- Describe how analgesia and other measures can be used to minimise pain and distress.
- Understand the physiological and pharmacological factors underlying the use of analgesics.
- Describe how and when to use analgesics to minimise potential interactions with research outcomes
- Discuss how to integrate a program of pain management into an overall scheme of perioperative care.
8
Strategic thinking
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Critically evaluate the current organizational strategy
- Establish the current organisational position and benchmark this with similar organisations
- Discuss the use of models to evaluate the strategic position of the organisations represented by the learners
- Use relevant models to identify the position of the organisation and plan for future improvements
- Create a plan for a strategy change within the organisation
- Critically appraise methods of establishing, communicating and actioning the strategic plan for the organisation
- Communicate sensitively and effectively to all stakeholders affected by the strategic plan Handle conflict between individuals and teams during the strategic planning process
9
Thesis / project
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the project life cycle.1.
- Describe the different stages of the project life cycle.1.
- Recognise the types of activity appropriate to each stage of the project cycle and the management tools used.
- Work effectively within an organization to manage and evaluate a project.2.1.
- Identify the key project stakeholders.2.2. Devise and implement different strategies for interactions with management, academics, colleagues and project professionals.2.3. Devise implement and evaluate the success of communication with key stakeholders to ensure project progress.2.4.
- Identify project constraints and the need to management change effectively.2.5.
- Evaluate the achievements and benefits of the project to the organization and the wider professional community.
- Produce a final report to recognized industry standards which also adheres to good academic practice.3.1.A review of different standards, codes and legislation.3.2.The application of standards, codes and legislation.3.3 The different strategies and methodology of Home Office, HSE, and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority are noted.3.4.
- Evaluate individual project against application standard, codes and legislation.
- Engage fully in experiential learning through the project experience and use this proactively to enhance continuous professional development.4.1. Demonstrates thoughtful analysis of the workplace context.4.2.Engages in discussion and sharing of ideas in tutorial. 4.3. Seeks feedback on draft work
Regulatory & Verification Details
- Qualification Number (QN)
- 610/2724/8
- Regulated Status
- Available to learners
- Awarding Body
- IAT
- Qualification Type
- Vocationally-Related Qualification
- Operational Start
- Sept 2023
- Operational End
- Sept 2028