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Description of the title
The master’s degree offers comprehensive training in the management of laboratory animals and in the handling of data derived to generate knowledge, allowing the student to develop the competencies and skills necessary for a researcher. Through an ethical, rigorous approach and in compliance with good practices and current legislation, students will acquire fundamental knowledge in animal experiments and in the management, analysis and treatment of data, essential to carry out research that generates knowledge.
Objectives of the degree
The objective of the master’s degree is to train researchers and personnel qualified to work with animals for scientific purposes, providing comprehensive training in all aspects related to laboratory animal science.
This includes both the performance of animal experiments and the collection and management of the data derived from them, as well as alternative methods using in silico models and the processing of massive data, with the aspiration that in the future there will be no need to use animals for scientific purposes.
The master’s degree promotes a firm commitment to responsibility and respect for animal welfare, ensuring that all research is carried out ethically, efficiently and with scientific rigor.
The goal is to provide professionals with the necessary skills so that their work contributes to scientific progress, while maintaining a high standard of care and consideration for animal life.
Finally, the objective is for the student to reach the training levels equivalent to functions a), b), c), d) and e) included in Royal Decree 53/2013 and Ministerial Order ECC/566/2015 of 20/03/2015.
Career opportunities
Upon completion of the MUCAL, you will be able to perform roles such as:
- Research project team member: You will be able to participate in research projects by performing functions such as animal care, euthanasia and execution of experimental procedures.
- Responsible for project design: Leads animal research, assuming responsibility for the management of the procedures carried out.
- Responsible for animal welfare: You will be the figure of reference within the animal facilities, providing advice to researchers on aspects related to the reception, care, maintenance, feeding, comfort, handling during the studies and the end of life of the animals.
- Access to the doctoral program: This master’s degree will provide you with the necessary training to continue your research career through a doctorate.
Aimed primarily at
The MUCAL is aimed primarily at recent graduates or graduates with professional experience who wish to carry out research activities involving the use of animals with the ultimate goal of contributing to the improvement of human and animal health and welfare. If you are looking to develop your management, project design and leadership skills, take responsibility for animal welfare in a research center or start a doctoral thesis, this program is for you.
- Graduates who wish to carry out research activities involving the use of animals.
- Veterinary sciences
- Medicine
- Biology
- Pharmacy
- Biotechnology
- Agri-food and Rural Environment Engineering
- Food Science and Technology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Biomedical Sciences
- Environmental Sciences
Structure of the master’s program
Credits: 60 ECTS
Mandatory:52 ects |Electives:0 ects |External internships:0 ects |Final Master’s thesis (TFM):8 ects
Module 1. Compulsory training :25.5 ects mandatory
Subject:Ethics and welfare
Minimum credits: 4.5 | Character: Mandatory
Subject:Breeding, care and management of animals
Minimum credits: 12 | Character: Compulsory
Subject:Sedoanalgesia and animal health
Minimum credits: 9 | Character: Compulsory
Module 2. Projects and procedures :10.5 ects mandatory
Subject:Design of projects and procedures
Minimum credits: 10.5 | Character: Mandatory
Module 3. Complementary training :16 ects mandatory
Subject:Work under supervision
Minimum credits: 16 | Character: Compulsory
Module 4. Master’s thesis :8 ects
Subject:Master’s thesis
Minimum credits: 8 | Subject: Final Degree Project
Research and access to Ph.
Lines of research of the master’s degree:
- Animal Models in Biomedical Research
- Diseases and Experimental Therapies
- Physiology and Comparative Biology
- Animal genetics and biotechnology
- Technologies in animal husbandry and management
This master’s degree will provide you with the necessary training to continue your research career through a doctorate, including the possibility of accessing the Doctoral Program in Biotechnology, Doctoral Program in Animal Production Science and Technology.
Facilities and laboratories
The master’s degree has classrooms and teaching laboratories, as well as an animal house and several experimental farms where practical activities are carried out with mice, rabbits, laying hens, goats and various aquaculture species.
Master’s Thesis
The Master’s Thesis will consist of the design of an experiment involving the use of animals, for which all the required documentation must be completed in order to request approval by an Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee.