Below is a list of the online courses that we offer, including descriptions of each course. To open either a course or an exam, simply click on the links provided below. To receive credit for a course completion, you must pass the corresponding exam with a score of 100%.
Instructions
The courses and lessons listed below are hosted in Bridge LMS. When you enroll in a course, you will get a automated notifications with your progress from Bridge with links.
If learners are categorized as UW staff they will be able to view the courses below. If you are a UW student you must provide CLATR your UW NetID so that we can manually enter it in the Bridge system. Otherwise Bridge will display an error message.
If you do not have a UW NetID please submit a request to CLATR for a “Sponsored UW NetID” that can then be manually entered into the Bridge system so you can view the courses below. Please note, you will receive an email inviting you to create your NetID. Please create it at your earliest convenience.
Processing a manual entry will take one to two business days.
Animal Use Laws and Regulations Training Course
This course is designed to provide individuals with an overview of the laws and regulations governing the use of live vertebrate animals in research, teaching, and testing at the University of Washington (UW).
The training covers many topics including working with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), protocol requirements, ethics of animal experimentation, and alternatives to the use of animals.
You must pass the corresponding exam with a 100% in order to fullfill this requirement.
Annual DCM Facility Access Training (formerly Annual Animal Use Training for Rodent Users)
Non-Rodent User Course with Exam
Updated course requires individuals to complete learning modules before taking the exam.
The online Annual DCM Facility Access Trainings are designed to provide personnel with the knowledge necessary to work within DCM animal facilities housing rodents species as well as non-rodent species. As such, it is required for non-rodent and rodent users who house animals in DCM facilities. It is required prior to initial entry authorization and it must be repeated annually for continued access.
Please note: The non-rodent version of the form is required for those working only with non-rodent species. If you have already completed the rodent version of the course, and you also work with non-rodents, you do not have to complete the non-rodent version of the form. However, if you have only completed the non-rodent version of the course, but are now working with rodent species, you are required to complete the rodent version of the course.
You must pass the corresponding exam with a 100% in order to fullfill this requirement.
Working with Mice at the UW Course with Exam
This web course is designed to provide important information about using laboratory mice in biomedical research settings and to help ensure their humane care and use. The course is required for all personnel working with mice and is a prerequisite to attend the in-person Mouse Hands-on Laboratory as well as for addition to a protocol.
The course includes information on occupational hazards, biological features, gender determination, humane standards, detecting pain and distress, and euthanasia. These topics will be expanded upon during the Mouse Hands-on Laboratory.
You must pass the corresponding exam with a 100% in order to fullfill this requirement.
Working with Rats at the UW Course with Exam
This web course is designed to provide important information about using laboratory rats in biomedical research settings and to help ensure their humane care and use.
The course is required for all personnel working with rats and is a prerequisite to attend the in-person Rat Hands-on Laboratory as well as for addition to a protocol. The course includes information on occupational hazards, biological features, gender determination, humane standards, detecting pain and distress, and euthanasia. These topics will be expanded upon during the Rat Hands-on Laboratory.
You must pass the corresponding exam with a 100% in order to fullfill this requirement.
Introduction to Rodent Surgery Course
This web course is designed to provide important information about performing animal surgery in biomedical research settings and to help ensure the humane care and use of animals.
The course is required for all personnel performing surgery on rodents and is a prerequisite to attend the in-person Surgery Laboratory Part IA. The course includes information on pre-operative procedures, anesthesia, analgesia, aseptic technique, surgical technique, incision closure, and post-operative procedures. These topics will be expanded upon during the Surgery Laboratory Part IA and II.
You must pass the accompanying exam with a 100% in order to fullfill this requirement.
Introduction to Surgery (Non-Rodent, USDA-Covered Animals) Course
Introduction to Surgery (Non-Rodent, USDA-Covered Animals) Exam
This web course is designed to provide important information about performing animal surgery in biomedical research settings and to help ensure the humane care and use of animals. The course is required for all personnel performing surgery on non-rodent, USDA-covered animals and is a prerequisite to attend the in-person Surgery Laboratory Part IB.
The course includes information on operating room conduct, the use of aseptic technique, patient preparation, monitoring, and recovery, surgical instruments and handling, suturing, analgesia, and anesthesia. These topics will be expanded upon during the Surgery Laboratory Part IB and II.
You must pass the corresponding exam with a 100% in order to fullfill this requirement.
Animal Facility Online Learning Course
Animal Facility Online Learning Course with ABSL-2
This course and exam must be completed prior to the in-person facility orientation. Select the option based on whether or not you will be working with ABSL-2 animals.
This web course is designed to provide you information such as how to enter the facility, clothing requirments, transporting animals, how to use changing stations, biosafety cabinets, CO2 equipment, and tools used to communicate with DCM staff and Vet Services.
You must pass the corresponding exam with a 100% in order to fullfill this requirement.
ABSL-2
The ABSL-2 course has several additional lessons that include working with Biosafty Cabinets and Transporting ABSL-2 animals.
It is highly recommended that you complete this course shortly before your need to attend an in-person orientation and start using an animal facility.
After completing this course, you can review the lessons in any order and as many times as you wish.
Essentials for UW IACUC Members Course
Essentials for UW IACUC Members
This course is designed primarily for IACUC members and IACUC support administrators.
This course addresses many topics that are based upon regulatory language which is itself subject to interpretation.
IACUC Site Visits
In this lesson, participants will gain a greater understanding of the regulatory requirements for an IACUC site visit as well as what to look for and consider when performing a site visit. You will also learn how to document deficiencies that can be an issue for animal and human welfare.
Before clicking on one of the lesson links below, click on the Bridge LMS link which will open a new browser window and log in. Return to this browser window and then click on any one of the lesson links. The LMS takes a moment or two for the lesson to download and display, so please be patient.
ABSL-2: Dirty Cage Handling and Bagging
This lesson has been created to address the confusion about bagging ABSL-2 dirty cages. Bagging of ABSL-2 cages needs to be handled with care.
Check Cages for Animals
There is a recurring problem of animals being found in stacked dirty cages. Learn steps to prevent this from happening.
Check Water and Food
Providing food and water are important to the care of the animals and the research. Learn how to toggle the water and load the food hopper in a cage.
Check Your Approved Protocol
Learn the importance of checking your protocol before beginning any procedures or techniques. Walk through step-by-step process to log into HoverBoard, find your protocol, identify that it is Approved, and locate the approved procedures.
Chin Bleed for Mice
Chin bleeds are an alternative blood collection and is an excellent alternative to the retroorbital bleed method. No certification is required.
Engaging Rodent Cages into Racks
You will learn why it is so important to properly engage cages into rack systems to ensure the animals have reliable water and air. You will see videos how to lock the cages into the racks.
Expired Substances
The use of expired medical materials is prohibited in any survival procedure performed on live vertebrate animals used for research or teaching. Learn what to look for on boxes and vials to identify when they are or close to expiration. This lesson also provides strategies for marking expired substances.
Facility Entry-Clothing Requirements
You will learn how to recognize scrubs requirements and alternative clothing protection used in animal facilities.
Performing Intraperitoneal (IP) Injection on a Mouse
Learn how to hold the animal and optimal location for the injection.
Finding Flooded Cages with Mice or Rats
Finding Flooded Cages with Mice or Rats and procedures to transfer animals to fresh clean cage setup.
Husbandry Special Service Requests (SSRs) New 12/20/2023
If your research requires an exception to the UW standards of care, it needs to be documented in your approved protocol. This is done using the Husbandry Special Service Request form (SSR). This lesson describes the steps that are to be performed for requesting an SSR and steps required of researchers.
Methods of Identification with Mice and Rats
Methods of individually identifying mice or rats. Markers, ear tags, ear punching, tattooing, and microchipping.
Needle Handling and Syringe Safety
This course contains two videos with the UW Attending Veterinarian explaining the basics. This not a replacement for the Hands-on lab class that is required, but provides the basics and is a refresher if you have previously attended the class.
Performing Subcutaneous (SQ) Injection on Mouse
Learn how to hold the animal and optimal location for the injection.
Post-Anesthesia and Post-Procedural Monitoring and Care
Animals must be actively monitored until they ambulate. Continue monitoring must occur as per protocol.
Refined Mouse Handling
A new techniques for moving animals from one cage to another reducing the stress the animals experience. Created in partnership with the 3Rs Collaborative. (A hands-0n workshop can be requested from CLATR if your team is interested in implementing these techniques.)
Report Concerns for Animal Welfare
An overview of the options available to report animal welfare concerns at University of Washington insuring anonymity.
Reporting Sick Animals to Vet Services
Learn the procedures to contact Vet Services while inside a UW Vivarium.
Scruffing a Mouse
You will learn which hand to use and proper positioning for scruffing a mouse.
Tissue Collection from Mice for Genotyping
You will be able to describe UW’s IACUC policy with tissue collection from mice. Contrast the advantages between ear punching and tail tipping. Describe policy limitations associated with tail tipping. Specify the age at which tail tipping is not allowed without IACUC approval.
Tailgating and Badging
An entertaining reminder that everyone must use their Husky Card to badge into DCM managed facilities. For the safety of the animals, the research, and you.
Transporting Animals Out and Returning to an Animal Facility
Learning how transport animals out of the animal facilities and to the labs. Learn how to return live and dead animals to the facilities.
Using Animal Facility Euthanasia CO2
Learn how to utilize equipment within the UW vivarium. Policies, procedures, and best practices utilizing CO2 as primary Euthanasia.
Using a Biosafety Cabinet in an Animal Facility
Learn how to use a biosafety cabinet and maintain your safety and the animal’s safety.
Using Changing Stations within an Animal Facility
You will learn how the changing stations to protect you and the animals. The appropriate personal protective equipment while using a changing station.
Using Cage Cards and tags within DCM Facilities
Learn about minimum requirements for cage cards. How and when to use cage card tags to communicate with staff involved in the care of the research animals.
Weaning and Sexing Rodents
Identify the age pups are required to be weaned from a cage. Describe elements needed in a cage for newly weaned mice. Describe hydration requirement duration, post-weaning. Distinguish differences between male and female rodents for gender separation.