In Person Courses

Below is a list of the in-person training courses that we offer. Click "Course Description" for more information on a particular course. Click "Course Schedule" to view the currently scheduled session times for a particular course.

You may register for a class by downloading and completing the Animal Use Training Registration form found on the "Forms" page. Please refer to the registration form for submission instructions and information on the fee schedule.

The University of Washington is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation contact the Disability Services Office at least ten days in advance at: 206.543.6450/V, 206.543.6452/TTY, 206.685.7264 (FAX), or e-mail at dso@uw.edu.

  • Mouse Hands-on Laboratory

    • Prerequisite: Completion of the online course "Working with Mice at the University of Washington." Must pass the exam with a 100%.

    Mouse Hands-on Laboratory

    This course is the 2nd of a 2-part series (the 1st being the online course "Working with Mice at the University of Washington") and is required for all personnel working with or caring for mice. The course is divided into three sections (A, B, and C).

    Section A: Section A (or Section C - see below) is required for all personnel working with mice and is a prerequisite for addition to a protocol (please note that previous attendance of the Mouse Hands-on Laboratory also satisfies this requirement). The course includes a demonstration of proper techniques for humane handling, restraint, and use of mice. Instruction is provided on recognition of normal and abnormal physical and behavioral changes, gender determination, identification methods, non-invasive tissue sampling, subcutaneous injections, and intraperitoneal injections. There is discussion of appropriate methods of anesthesia, analgesia, and euthanasia.

    Section B: Section B will expand on the topics covered in Section A by including oral gavage, blood draws, tail vein injection, and other techniques as needed. Participants can be certified (as required by the IACUC) to perform certain techniques on mice.

    Section C: Section C is intended for experienced mouse users who are required to complete the course as part of the 3-year protocol renewal process and replaces the Section A attendance requirement. The course will cover topics from both Section A and Section B.

    Important Note: While you may learn a variety of procedures during the class, you are only allowed to perform the procedures/techniques outside of the training class if they are listed on your UW IACUC approved animal use protocol.

    Note on Retro-Orbital Certifications: Please be aware that if you are coming to class to be certified in retro-orbital bleeds or injections, there is a 2-3 day waiting period before your certification can be either approved or denied. This is to ensure that the technique is performed proficiently with no lasting trauma to the eye. The instructor will notify you of the outcome of your certification. Additionally, personnel must be proficient in handling and restraint before attempting unanesthetized retro-orbital bleed certification.

    Prerequisite: Completion of the online course "Working with Mice at the University of Washington." Must pass the exam with a 100%.

    Mouse Hands-On Lab
    SectionDayDateTimeNoted if Full
    Section AFridayMay 241:00-2:10 
    Section ATuesdayMay 2810:00-11:10 
    Section ATuesdayMay 2812:30-1:40 
    Section BTuesdayMay 281:45-2:45 
    Section AWednesdayMay 2910:00-11:10 
    Section BWednesdayMay 2911:15-12:15 
    Section AMondayJune 312:30-1:40 
    Section BMondayJune 31:45-2:45 
    Section AWednesdayJune 510:00-11:10 
    Section BWednesdayJune 511:15-12:15 
    Section AWednesdayJune 52:00-3:10 
    Section ATuesdayJune 1110:00-11:10 
    Section ATuesdayJune 1112:30-1:40 
    Section BTuesdayJune 111:45-2:45 
    Section AFridayJune 1410:00-11:10 
    Section BFridayJune 1411:15-12:15 
    Section AMondayJune 1711:00-12:10 
    Section BMondayJune 1712:15-1:15 
    Section AWednesdayJune 1910:00-11:10 
    Section AWednesdayJune 1912:45-1:55 
    Section BWednesdayJune 192:00-3:00 
    Section CThursdayJune 2010:00-11:30 
    Section AThursdayJune 201:30-2:40 
  • Rat Hands-on Laboratory

    • Prerequisite: Completion of the online course "Working with Rats at the University of Washington." Must pass the exam with a 100%.

    Rat Hands-on Laboratory

    This course is the 2nd of a 2-part series (the 1st being the online course "Working with Rats at the University of Washington") and is required for all personnel working with or caring for rats. The course is divided into two sections (A and B).

    Section A: Section A is required for all personnel working with rats and is a prerequisite for addition to a protocol (please note that previous attendance of the Rat Hands-on Laboratory also satisfies this requirement). The course includes a demonstration of proper techniques for humane handling, restraint, and use of rats. Instruction is provided on recognition of normal and abnormal physical and behavioral changes, gender determination, identification methods, and non-invasive tissue sampling. There is discussion of appropriate methods of anesthesia, analgesia, and euthanasia.

    Section B: Section B will expand on the topics covered in Section A by including subcutaneous injections, intraperitoneal injections, oral gavage, blood draws, and other techniques as needed. Participants can be certified (as required by the IACUC) to perform certain techniques on rats.

    Important Note: While you may learn a variety of procedures during the class, you are only allowed to perform the procedures/techniques outside of the training class if they are listed on your UW IACUC approved animal use protocol.

    Prerequisite: Completion of the online course "Working with Rats at the University of Washington." Must pass the exam with a 100%.

    Rat Hands-On Lab
    SectionDayDateTimeNoted if Full
    Section ATuesdayMay 211:00-2:10 
    Section BTuesdayMay 212:15-3:15 
    Section AThursdayMay 3010:00-11:10 
    Section BThursdayMay 3011:15-12:15 
    Section AThursdayMay 302:15-3:25 
    Section ATuesdayJune 410:00-11:10 
    Section BTuesdayJune 411:15-12:15 
    Section ATuesdayJune 42:00-3:10 
    Section AThursdayJune 1310:00-11:10 
    Section AThursdayJune 1312:30-1:40 
    Section BThursdayJune 131:45-2:45 
    Section ATuesdayJune 1810:00-11:10 
    Section ATuesdayJune 1812:30-1:40 
    Section BTuesdayJune 181:45-2:45 
  • Rabbit Hands-on Laboratory: Scheduled on an as-needed basis

    • Prerequisite: none

    Rabbit Hands-on Laboratory

    This course is required for all personnel new to working with or caring for rabbits.

    Training is available on proper techniques for humane handling, restraint, and use of rabbits. Instruction is provided on recognition of normal and abnormal physical and behavioral changes, gender determination, blood vessel access, and administration of medication. There is discussion of appropriate methods of anesthesia, analgesia, and euthanasia. Participants can be certified (as required by the IACUC) to perform certain techniques on rabbits.

    Important Note: While you may learn a variety of procedures during the class, you are only allowed to perform the procedures/techniques outside of the training class if they are listed on your UW IACUC approved animal use protocol.

    Scheduled on an as-needed basis. Contact the Training Coordinator at auts@uw.edu to arrange a training session.

  • Pig Hands-on Laboratory: Scheduled on an as-needed basis

    • Prerequisite: none

    Pig Hands-on Laboratory

    This course is required for all personnel new to working with or caring for pigs.

    Training is available on proper techniques for humane handling, restraint, and use of pigs. Instruction is provided on recognition of normal and abnormal physical and behavioral changes and gender determination. There is discussion of appropriate methods of blood vessel access, administration of medication, anesthesia, analgesia, and euthanasia.

    Important Note: While you may learn a variety of procedures during the class, you are only allowed to perform the procedures/techniques outside of the training class if they are listed on your UW IACUC approved animal use protocol.

    Scheduled on an as-needed basis. Contact the Training Coordinator at auts@uw.edu to arrange a training session.

  • Hands-on Training for Species other than Mice, Rats, Rabbits, and Pigs: Scheduled on an as-needed basis

    Hands-on Training for Species other than Mice, Rats, Rabbits, and Pigs

    Scheduled on an as-needed basis. Contact the Training Coordinator at auts@uw.edu to arrange a training session.

  • Decentralized Animal Care and Records

    Decentralized Animal Care and Records

    This course provides training on the basic requirements for maintaining animals and providing daily care for them within facilities not maintained by the Department of Comparative Medicine. The session covers basic procedures, regulations and requirements, and documentation. All personnel providing primary care for animals (non-aquatic) in Decentralized Facilities are required to complete this session. The PI or a professional staff lab manager is also required to complete this class. Note: rodent users must also complete the Sick Rodent Recognition session. There are no prerequisites.

    Decentralized Animal Care & Records Class
    DayDateDayTimeNoted if Full
    FridayMay249:25-10:00 
    WednesdayJune52:25-3:00 
    FridayJune211:25-2:00 
  • Decentralized Sick Rodent Recognition

    Decentralized Sick Rodent Recognition

    This session provides training on the recognition of pain, illness, and injury in rodent species. It also provides detailed examples and discussion of commonly occurring rodent injuries and illness. Attendees will learn techniques for evaluation of pain and illness in rodent species. This session, in addition to the Decentralized Animal Care and Records session, is required of all personnel providing primary care for rodents in Decentralized Facilities. The PI or a professional staff lab manager is also required to complete both classes. There are no prerequisites.

    Sick Rodent Recognition Class
    DayDateDayTimeNoted if Full
    FridayMay2410:00-11:00 
    WednesdayJune53:00-4:00 
    FridayJune212:00-3:00 
  • Decentralized Animal Care and Records: Aquatic Animals

    Decentralized Animal Care and Records: Aquatic Animals

    This course provides training on the basic requirements for maintaining aquatic animals and providing daily care for them within facilities not maintained by the Department of Comparative Medicine. The session covers basic procedures, regulations and requirements, and documentation. It also covers sick animal recognition and evaluation of pain, illness, and injury in aquatic species. All personnel providing primary care for aquatic animals in Decentralized Facilities are required to complete this session. The PI or a professional staff lab manager is also required to complete this class. There are no prerequisites.

    Decentralized Care & Records / Aquatic Animals
    DayDateDayTimeNoted if Full
    FridayMay3110:00-12:00 
    TuesdayJune1110:00-12:00 
  • Surgery Laboratory Part IA

    • Prerequisite: Completion of the online course "Introduction to Rodent Surgery." Must pass the exam with a 100%.

    Surgery Laboratory Part IA

    This is the first session of a two part series designed to provide instruction on the basic tenets of surgical techniques in research animals and is intended for users of rodents, birds, frogs, fish, and other non-USDA species. Instruction is provided on opening sterile supplies, putting on sterile gloves, how to drape, handling instruments, sterilizing surgical instruments, suturing, and using surgical glue and wound clips. These topics will be expanded upon during the Surgery Laboratory Part II.

    Surgery Laboratory Part IA
    DayDateDayTimeNoted if Full
    WednesdayMay2210:00-12:00Full 
    WednesdayMay222:00-4:00Full 
    FridayJune710:00-12:00 
    MondayJune1012:00-2:00 
    FridayJune2110:00-12:00 
  • Surgery Laboratory Part IB

    • Prerequisite: Completion of the online course "Introduction to Surgery (Non-Rodent, USDA-Covered Animals)." Must pass the exam with a 100%.

    Surgery Laboratory Part IB

    This is the first session of a two part series designed to provide instruction on the basic tenets of surgical techniques in research animals and is intended for users of USDA-covered non-rodents. Instruction is provided on opening sterile supplies, scrubbing, putting on sterile gloves and gowns, how to drape, handling instruments, sterilizing surgical instruments, suturing, using surgical glue and wound clips. These topics will be expanded upon during the Surgery Laboratory Part II.

    Surgery Laboratory Part IB
    DayDateDayTimeNoted if Full
    FridayJune72:00-4:30 
    FridayJune212:00-4:30 
  • Surgery Laboratory Part II

    • Prerequisite: Surgery Laboratory Part I (A or B)

    Surgery Laboratory Part II

    This is part two of the surgery training series. This session expands on the knowledge of sterile and aseptic techniques learned in Surgery I (A or B), and puts them into practice. The session includes a hands-on lab giving attendees the opportunity to practice clipping and prepping, incision, blunt dissection, suturing, and using surgical glue and wound clips.

    Surgery Laboratory Part II
    DayDateDayTimeNoted if Full
    WednesdayMay292:00-4:00 
    FridayMay3110:00-12:00Full 
    FridayMay312:00-4:00Full 
    WednesdayJune1210:00-12:00 
    WednesdayJune122:00-4:00 
  • 6th Floor Facility Orientation

    • Prerequisites: Must be approved on protocol. Rodent users must complete the SPF training.

    6th Floor Facility Orientation

    Facility Orientation Sessions are held inside the animal facilities and provide personnel with the training necessary for entering and working in the facility. Instruction is provided on the proper facility and animal room entry procedures, as well as the location of important resources.

    Personnel must complete the 6th Floor Facility Orientation in order to gain access to the 6th floor facility via Proxy card. If you are unable to attend the pre-scheduled orientation times, please contact the Training Coordinator at auts@uw.edu to arrange a training session.

    Note: In order to work in animal rooms located in the C-wing of the facility, personnel must attend the separate 6th Floor Facility C-wing Orientation. Attendance of the 6th Floor Facility Orientation is required prior to registering for the 6th Floor Facility C-wing Orientation.

    6th Floor Facility Orientation
    DayDateDayTimeNoted if Full
    ThursdayMay232:00-3:00Full 
    MondayJune33:00-4:00 
    MondayJune179:00-10:00 
  • 6th Floor Facility C-wing Orientation: Scheduled on an as-needed basis

    • Prerequisite: Completion of the 6th Floor Facility Orientation.

    6th Floor Facility C-wing Orientation

    Facility Orientation Sessions are held inside the animal facilities and provide personnel with the training necessary for entering and working in the facility. The C-wing of the 6th floor animal facility is an animal behavior study area and functions differently from the rest of the facility. For example, research staff are more involved in the daily care of the animals and room entry procedures vary. Instruction on these variances is provided in the orientation.

    Individuals who need to work in an animal room located in the C-wing of the 6th floor facility must complete the 6th Floor Facility C-wing Orientation. Attendance of the 6th Floor Facility Orientation is required prior to registering for the 6th Floor Facility C-wing Orientation.

    Scheduled on an as-needed basis. Contact the Training Coordinator at auts@uw.edu to arrange a training session.

  • T-wing Facility Orientation

    • Prerequisites: Must be approved on protocol. Rodent users must complete the SPF training. Note: T-115 requires a seperate orientation.

    T-wing Facility Orientation

    Facility Orientation Sessions are held inside the SPF facilities and provide personnel with the training necessary for entering and working in the facility. Instruction is provided on the proper facility and animal room entry procedures, as well as the location of important resources. Note: Room T-115 requires a seperate orientation that is scheduled on an as-needed basis.

    Personnel must complete the T-wing Facility Orientation in order to gain access to the T-wing facility via Proxy card. If you are unable to attend the pre-scheduled orientation times, please contact the Training Coordinator at auts@uw.edu to arrange a training session.

    T-wing Facility Orientation
    DayDateDayTimeNoted if Full
    TuesdayJune49:00-10:30 
    WednesdayJune122:00-3:30 
  • K-wing Facility Orientation

    • Prerequisites: Must be approved on protocol. Rodent users must complete the SPF training.

    K-wing Facility Orientation

    Facility Orientation Sessions are held inside the SPF facilities and provide personnel with the training necessary for entering and working in the facility. Instruction is provided on the proper facility and animal room entry procedures, as well as the location of important resources.

    Personnel must complete the K-wing Facility Orientation in order to gain access to the K-wing facility via Proxy card. If you are unable to attend the pre-scheduled orientation times, please contact the Training Coordinator at auts@uw.edu to arrange a training session.

    Note: In order to work in the Animal Bio-Safety Level 2 or 3 (ABSL-2 or ABSL-3) rooms within the facility, personnel must attend the separate ABSL-2 or ABSL-3 Room Orientation. Attendance of the Facility Orientation is required prior to registering for the ABSL-2 or ABSL-3 Room Orientation.

    K-wing Facility Orientation
    DayDateDayTimeNoted if Full
    ThursdayJune61:00-2:30 
    MondayJune172:30-4:00 
  • Foege Facility Orientation

    • Prerequisites: Must be approved on protocol. Rodent users must complete the SPF training.

    Foege Facility Orientation

    Facility Orientation Sessions are held inside the SPF facilities and provide personnel with the training necessary for entering and working in the facility. Instruction is provided on the proper facility and animal room entry procedures, as well as the location of important resources.

    Personnel must complete the Foege Facility Orientation in order to gain access to the Foege facility via Proxy card. If you are unable to attend the pre-scheduled orientation times, please contact the Training Coordinator at auts@uw.edu to arrange a training session.

    Note: In order to work in the Animal Bio-Safety Level 2 (ABSL-2) room within the facility, personnel must attend the separate ABSL-2 Room Orientation. Attendance of the Facility Orientation is required prior to registering for the ABSL-2 Room Orientation.

    Foege Facility Orientation
    DayDateDayTimeNoted if Full
    ThursdayMay2310:00-11:30 
    TuesdayMay289:00-10:30 
    FridayJune72:00-3:30 
    FridayJune149:00-10:30 
  • Harborview (HR&T) Facility Orientation

    • Prerequisites: Must be approved on protocol. Rodent users must complete the SPF training.

    Harborview (HR&T) Facility Orientation

    Facility Orientation Sessions are held inside the SPF facilities and provide personnel with the training necessary for entering and working in the facility. Instruction is provided on the proper facility and animal room entry procedures, as well as the location of important resources.

    Personnel must complete the HR&T Facility Orientation in order to gain access to the HR&T facility via access card. If you are unable to attend the pre-scheduled orientation times, please contact the Training Coordinator at auts@uw.edu to arrange a training session.

    Note: In order to work in the Animal Bio-Safety Level 2 (ABSL-2) room within the facility, personnel must attend the separate ABSL-2 Room Orientation. Attendance of the Facility Orientation is required prior to registering for the ABSL-2 Room Orientation.

    Harborview (HR&T) Facility Orientation
    DayDateDayTimeNoted if Full
    WednesdayMay291:00-2:30 
    ThursdayJune1310:00-11:30 
  • Brotman Facility Orientation

    • Prerequisites: Must be approved on protocol. Rodent users must complete the SPF training.

    Brotman Facility Orientation

    Facility Orientation Sessions are held inside the SPF facilities and provide personnel with the training necessary for entering and working in the facility. Instruction is provided on the proper facility and animal room entry procedures, as well as the location of important resources.

    Personnel must complete the Brotman Facility Orientation in order to gain access to the Brotman facility via access card. Note: This facility is also known as 815 Mercer and South Lake Union (SLU). If you are unable to attend the pre-scheduled orientation times, please contact the Training Coordinator at auts@uw.edu to arrange a training session.

    Note: In order to work in the Animal Bio-Safety Level 2 (ABSL-2) room within the facility, personnel must attend the separate ABSL-2 Room Orientation. Attendance of the Facility Orientation is required prior to registering for the ABSL-2 Room Orientation.

    Brotman Facility Orientation
    DayDateDayTimeNoted if Full
    TuesdayMay219:30-11:00 
    ThursdayJune63:30-5:00 
    ThursdayJune201:00-2:30 
  • South Lake Union (SLU) 3.1 Facility Orientation: Scheduled on an as-needed basis

    • Prerequisites: Must be approved on protocol. Rodent users must complete the SPF training.

    South Lake Union (SLU) 3.1 Facility Orientation

    Facility Orientation Sessions are held inside the animal facilities and provide personnel with the training necessary for entering and working in the facility. Instruction is provided on the proper facility and animal room entry procedures, as well as the location of important resources.

    Personnel must complete the SLU 3.1 Facility Orientation in order to gain access to the SLU 3.1 facility.

    Note: In order to work in the Animal Bio-Safety Level 2 (ABSL-2) room within the facility, personnel must attend the separate ABSL-2 Room Orientation. Attendance of the Facility Orientation is required prior to registering for the ABSL-2 Room Orientation.

    Scheduled on an as-needed basis. Contact the Training Coordinator at auts@uw.edu to arrange a training session.

  • Roosevelt Facility Orientation: Scheduled on an as-needed basis

    • Prerequisites: Must be approved on protocol. Rodent users must complete the SPF training.

    Roosevelt Facility Orientation

    Facility Orientation Sessions are held inside the animal facilities and provide personnel with the training necessary for entering and working in the facility. Instruction is provided on the proper facility and animal room entry procedures, as well as the location of important resources.

    Personnel must complete the Roosevelt Facility Orientation in order to gain access to the Roosevelt facility.

    Scheduled on an as-needed basis. Contact the Training Coordinator at auts@uw.edu to arrange a training session.

  • CHDD Facility Orientation: Scheduled on an as-needed basis

    • Prerequisites: Must be approved on protocol. Rodent users must complete the SPF training.

    CHDD Facility Orientation

    Facility Orientation Sessions are held inside the animal facilities and provide personnel with the training necessary for entering and working in the facility. Instruction is provided on the proper facility and animal room entry procedures, as well as the location of important resources.

    Personnel must complete the CHDD Facility Orientation in order to gain access to the CHDD facility.

    Scheduled on an as-needed basis. Contact the Training Coordinator at auts@uw.edu to arrange a training session.

  • Animal Bio-Safety Level 2 Room Orientation:

    • Prerequisite: Completion of the facility orientation.

    Animal Bio-Safety Level 2 Room Orientation

    Individuals who need to work in an Animal Bio-Safety Level 2 (ABSL-2) room within a centralized vivarium must complete the Animal Bio-Safety Level 2 Room Orientation for that vivarium. Attendance of the Facility Orientation is required prior to registering for the ABSL-2 Room Orientation.

    If you are unable to attend the pre-scheduled orientation times, please contact the Training Coordinator at auts@uw.edu to arrange a training session.

    Please also visit the Environmental Health and Safety Department's website for information on their required biosafety and bloodborne pathogen training classes: http://www.ehs.washington.edu/psotrain/index.shtm.

    Animal Bio-Safety Level 2 Room Orientation
    FacilityDayDateDayTimeNoted if Full
    BrotmanTuesdayMay2111:00-12:30 
    K-wingWednesdayMay299:00-10:30 
    HR&TWednesdayMay292:30-4:00 
    K-wingThursdayJune62:30-4:00 
    FoegeFridayJune1410:30-12:00 
    BrotmanThursdayJune202:30-4:00 
  • Animal Bio-Safety Level 3 Room Orientation: Scheduled on an as-needed basis

    • Prerequisite: Completion of the facility orientation.

    Animal Bio-Safety Level 3 Room Orientation

    Individuals who need to work in an Animal Bio-Safety Level 3 (ABSL-3) room within a centralized vivarium must complete the Animal Bio-Safety Level 3 Room Orientation. Attendance of the Facility Orientation is required prior to registering for the ABSL-3 Room Orientation.

    Scheduled on an as-needed basis. Contact the Training Coordinator at auts@uw.edu to arrange a training session.

    Please also visit the Environmental Health and Safety Department's website for information on their required biosafety and bloodborne pathogen training classes: http://www.ehs.washington.edu/psotrain/index.shtm.

  • Helicobacter Free Room Training: Scheduled on an as-needed basis

    • Prerequisite: Completion of the facility orientation.

    Helicobacter Free Room Training

    Individuals who need to work in a Helicobacter free animal room within a centralized vivarium must complete the Helicobacter Free Room Training. Attendance of the Facility Orientation is required prior to registering for the Helicobacter Free Room Training.

    Scheduled on an as-needed basis. Contact the Training Coordinator at auts@uw.edu to arrange a training session.