Training

All staff and students caring for, and using live vertebrates for scientific purposes (research, training and teaching) at NUS must be educated, trained and qualified to use animals in a humane and ethical manner.

The following training courses meet the requirements for training as set forth in the National Advisory Committee for Laboratory Animal Research (NACLAR) Guidelines:

  • Responsible Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (RCULA) for the use of common laboratory mammals
  • Responsible Care and Use of Fish (RCUF) for the use of fish

These training courses will give personnel a general understanding on the biology of the species, basic techniques, regulations and the responsibilities in using animals for scientific purposes. Successful participants will be awarded certificates, the serial number of which will be required when submitting protocols for IACUC review. RCULA/RCUF participant will be awarded a certificate upon successful completion of the course. The certificate serial number will be required during submission of protocols for IACUC review.

*Read more on Education and Training for the Humane Care and Use of Animals policy;

  • [NUS Restricted]
  • NUS username and password required


*Latest update for the Responsible Care and Use of Laboratory Animals NUS Training Course.

Priority for RCULA training is accorded to full time NUS Staff and Students listed in NUS IACUC protocol. NUS Staff and Students listed in NON - NUS IACUC protocols will be placed on A NON – Priority waiting list.

RCULA training consists of both online and hands-on training components meeting the local AVS regulation and NACLAR guidelines.
Therefore personnel is required to complete those 2 training components to obtain the RCULA certification.

Training blended learning consists of both online module and hands-on (species-specific):
• Online modules
Covers regulations, policies and the responsibilities in using animals for scientific purposes.
• *Hands-on training (Mice, Rats, Aseptic Surgery, Pig, Rabbit, and Guinea Pig)
Covers techniques and contents that are specific to the species.

Training Pre-requisites
Pre-Requisites prior to RCULA hands-on session:
• Completion of RCULA 1A/1B module (online)*
• Completion of Species-specific modules (online)*
• Tetanus vaccination or valid titer within the last 10 years

*online modules are assigned after submission and acceptance of registration form link submission.



 



RCUF training consists of both online and hands-on training components meeting the local AVS regulation and NACLAR guidelines. 

Therefore personnel is required to complete those 2 training components to obtain the RCULA RCUF certification.

Training blended learning consists of both online module and hands-on (species-specific):
• Online modules
Covers regulations, policies and the responsibilities in using animals for scientific purposes.
• *Hands-on training (Zebrafish)
Covers techniques and contents that are specific to the species.

Pre-Requisites prior to RCUF hands-on session:
• Completion of RCULA 1C [RCUF] module (online)*
• Completion of Species-specific modules (online)*
• Tetanus vaccination or valid titer within the last 10 years

*online modules are assigned after submission and acceptance of registration form link submission

 





Fees

For NUS Staff and Students:

Administrative charge is applied for No-show/repeated re-scheduled training:

No-show

  • An administrative charge of $125 will be imposed if no-shows on actual day of training without prior notification to the RCULA team (at least one working day ahead of the scheduled hands-on training date.
Repeated re-scheduled training
  • All RCULA participants are allowed a maximum of 3 re – schedules (EXCEPT medical leave) of RCULA hands-on Training Dates. The 4th RCULA hands-on training date re – schedule will incur an administrative charge of $125

For all external registrants listed in NON – NUS IACUC protocol:

Full fee payment should be cleared after submission and acceptance of registration form

  • fee payment covers online training, certificate, animals and consumable items used. Detail fee is available upon registration or upon request.
  • any payment received without prior registration submission and acceptance will be terminated and refunded

Administrative charge is applied for No-show/repeated re-scheduled training:

No-show

  • An administrative charge of $150 will be imposed if no-shows on actual day of training without prior notification to the RCULA team (at least one working day ahead of the scheduled hands-on training date)
Repeated re-scheduled training

  • All RCULA participants are allowed a maximum of 3 re – schedules (EXCEPT medical leave) of RCULA hands-on Training Dates. The 4th RCULA hands-on training date re – schedule will incur an administrative charge $150

 





A) For NUS Staff and Students:

Please complete the NUS registration form link; Please ensure to seek PI's approval before the submission of registration.

Please note the following (For NUS personnel):
1. Protocol number / iORC number and NUSNetID (No friendlymail) are required

2. Reservation of hands-on training dates are only allowed after completion of the training pre-requisites

B) For all external registrants listed in NON – NUS IACUC protocol - please complete External registration form link;


Please note the following (For Non-NUS personnel):

1. Training charges are applicable to all and full fee payment is required after submission and acceptance of registration form (pricelist will only be shared after registration)

2. Registration process may take at least 6 to 9 working days

3. Reservation of hands-on training dates are subjected to availability after completion of the training pre-requisites





Note: Registration to all hands on training can only be accepted after pre – requisites completion.
Note: Dates and Time are all tentative and subject to changes

January

Dates Type of Hands on Training
05 January
Rodent Aseptic Surgery (9am-12pm)
12 January Mice (2pm-5pm)
19 January
Rat (9am-12pm)
Mice (2pm-5pm)
26 JanuaryMice (9am-12pm)
Mice (2pm-5pm)


February

Dates Type of Hands on Training
02 February
Large Animal Aseptic Surgery (9am-12pm)
Mice (2pm-5pm)
06 February
Zebrafish (9am-12pm)
23 FebruaryRat (2pm-5pm)


March

Dates Type of Hands on Training
01 March
Rabbit (9am-12pm)
Mice (2pm-5pm)
08 March Rodent Aseptic Surgery (9am-12pm)
Mice (2pm-5pm)
15 MarchRat (9am-12pm)
Mice (2pm-5pm)


April

Dates Type of Hands on Training
05 April Large Animal Aseptic Surgery (9am-12pm)
Mice (2pm-5pm)
19 AprilRat (2pm-5pm)
26 April
Mice (9am-12pm)
Mice (2pm-5pm)


May

Dates Type of Hands on Training
03 May
Rodent Aseptic Surgery (9am-12pm)
Mice (2pm-5pm)
10 May
Rodent Aseptic Surgery (9am-12pm)
Mice (2pm-5pm)
17 May
Mice (2pm-5pm)
31 MayRodent Aseptic Surgery (9am-12pm)
Rabbit (0930am to 1130am)
Mice (2pm-5pm)


June

Dates Type of Hands on Training
05 June
Rodent Aseptic Surgery (9am – 12pm)
Mice (2-5pm)
07 June Rodent Aseptic Surgery (9am-12pm)
Rat (2pm-5pm)
14 JuneRat (9am-12pm)
Mice (2pm-5pm)
28 JuneMice (9am-12pm)
Mice (2pm-5pm)


July

Dates Type of Hands on Training
05 July
Rodent Aseptic Surgery (9am-12pm)
Mice (2pm-5pm)
12 July
Mice (9am-12pm)
19 July
Rat (2pm-5pm)


August

Dates Type of Hands on Training
02 August
Large Animal Aseptic Surgery (9am-12pm)
Mice (2pm-5pm)
08 August
Zebrafish (9am-12pm)
16 August
Mice (9am-12pm)
Mice (2pm-5pm)
23 AugustRat (9am-12pm)
Mice  (2pm-5pm)
30 AugustRat (2pm-5pm)


September

Dates Type of Hands on Training
06 September
Rodent Aseptic Surgery (9am-12pm)
Mice (2pm-5pm)
13 September
Mice (9am-12pm)
Mice (2pm-5pm)
20 September
Rat (9am-12pm)
Mice (2pm-5pm)


October

Dates Type of Hands on Training
04 October
Rodent Aseptic Surgery (9am-12pm)
Mice (2pm-5pm)
11 OctoberZebrafish (9am-12pm)
Rat (2pm-5pm)
18 October
Rabbit (9am-12pm)
Mice (2pm-5pm)


November

Dates Type of Hands on Training
08 November
Larger Animal Aseptic Surgery (9am-12pm)
Mice (2pm-5pm)
15 November
Mice (2pm-5pm)
22 NovemberRat (9am-12pm)
Mice (2pm-5pm)
29 November Rodent Aseptic Surgery (9am-12pm)
Rabbit (0930am-1130am)
Mice (2pm-5pm)


December

Dates Type of Hands on Training
06 December
Rodent Aseptic Surgery (9am-12pm)

 





Please do not hesitate to contact rcula@nus.edu.sg for enquiry. The training coordinators can also be reached via the following telephone number:

  • phone +65 66013005

Sincerely,

Comparative Medicine (CM)

Training Team