New Short Courses on the Use of Aquatic Animals for Scientific Purposes

Aquatic animals are true allies of science.Without us always realizing it, they play an essential role in areas such as the development of new drugs, understanding heart disease and mental illness, and protecting the environment.

However, their use in research projects isstrictly regulated. All individuals involved must undergomandatory training to ensure a thorough understanding of the issues and practices that respect animal welfare.

The Continuing Education Department atthe University of Montpellier offers two training programs at the "practitioner" and "designer"levels, designed for professionals working with aquatic animals—whether in breeding, husbandry, reproduction, or the implementation of experimental protocols in laboratories, research institutes, associations, and other organizations.

Program

The first part of the training sessions takes place on the shores of the Thau Lagoon, at the Mediterranean Coastal Environment Station in Sète.

The courses are taught by expert scientists, mainly from the Montpellier region.

The course is organized into several modules, allowing for a gradual increase in skill level.

Targeted skills

• Fundamentals of biology, choice of experimental model, and reproduction (fish, amphibians, and cephalopods)
• Animal husbandry and maintenance systems
• French regulations applicable to animal experimentation
• Ethical principles applied to animal experimentation
• Pain in aquatic species: definition, mitigation, threshold levels, and euthanasia
• Population management, identification and tagging, minimally invasive procedures
• Health management and biosecurity
• Livestock management and animal welfare

Both courses conclude with a day of hands-on training in the laboratories ofthe Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF) in Montpellier, allowing participants to reinforce what they have learned through practical application.

Upon completion of these training courses, participants will be legally qualified to participate in the implementation of scientific research projects involving aquatic animals.

TRAINING SESSION

A certificate of completion will be issued at the end of the course, subject to passing the final exam.

Are you interested in this training course?

For more information about our training programs and their content, and to apply, please contact our team at: sfc-aqua@umontpellier.fr