Biomedical Sciences Training Centre
University of Cambridge
Institute of Animal Technology Courses
Level 2 Diploma in Laboratory Animal Husbandry
Level 2 Diploma in Laboratory Animal Science &
Technology
Level 3 Diploma in Laboratory Animal Science &
Technology
Course tutor: Pilar Browne
BSTC: University of Cambridge
Introduction
Here at Cambridge we offer both level 2 & 3 IAT qualifications, as distance
learning or as class based learning. The qualifications consist of the following:
Level 2 diploma in Laboratory Animal Husbandry units:
Laboratory animal housing and routines
The production of animals
Laboratory animal nutrition
Introduction to Ethics & laboratory animal legislation
Laboratory animal husbandry & health
Level 2 diploma in Laboratory Animal Science & Technology
Units:
The level 2 diploma in animal husbandry units and Laboratory animal biology
Animal facility physical science
Numeracy for animal technologists
Communication for animal technologists
ICT for animal technologists
Level 3 diploma in Laboratory Animal Science & Technology
Units:
Housing and biosecurity barriers in laboratory animal facilities
Disease control
Management of breeding colonies
The use of genetically altered animals in research
Scientific Procedures
Ethics & laboratory animal legislation
Animal transportation
Animal cell biology
Laboratory animal physiology
The full syllabus is available on the IAT website (www.iat.org.uk).
Unit handbooks are supplied with each unit & will detail the syllabus for that
particular unit and the assessment.
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Units can be enrolled on at any time, up to the start date of the unit.
Start dates and end dates are shown below:
Autumn Term
7th October / 18th December
Spring Term
6th January / 23rd April
Summer Term
5th May / 22nd July
N.B. Level 2 is usually studied over 3 academic terms. Level 3 may be completed
1 unit per term (and so completed over 10 academic terms). Class based
teaching completes level 3 in 5 academic terms.
A fast track option is available for students with higher level qualifications (such
as degrees). Please see additional ‘fast track’ information on our website.
Exemptions
If your employee already has qualifications such as GSCE’s / ‘O’ Levels, ‘A’
levels, BTEC certificates & diplomas or a degree, they may be exempt from a
unit. If you think this may be the case, please make sure they let the course tutor
know as early as possible & provide certificates as evidence. This gives the tutor
the best possible chance of securing their exemption & saves the student
unnecessary work! There is no longer a time restriction on qualifications for
exemption requests (for those studying under the new syllabus), so qualifications
over 5 years old may still be submitted for exemption requests. Requests for
exemption are made by the course tutor through the IAT moderator, & they
present them to the IAT for acceptance.
If your employee is requesting exemption from any unit, they will need to provide
original certificates of the relevant qualifications to:
University of Cambridge
University Biomedical Support Services
17 Mill Lane
Cambridge
CB2 1RX
These should be sent by registered / recorded delivery & will be returned as
such. Certificates should be supplied on application.
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Completion
If your employee is studying for a complete IAT qualification, there is no longer a
restriction on the time taken to complete all the necessary units. This is true only
for the new syllabus. Any employee that registered with us after November 2010,
will be ‘mapped’ onto this new qualification & so have unlimited time to complete.
Learning difficulties
If you feel that your employee may have a learning difficulty, the IAT will supply a
quiz for them to complete which will highlight the more obvious problems.
However, if you feel they may have a problem that is not highlighted by this quiz,
you should contact the British dyslexia society
(http://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/about-dyslexia/adults-and-business/getting-a-fullassessment-for-dyslexia-.html or helpline@bdadyslexia.org.uk). They will put you
in contact with someone in your area who is qualified to perform a full
assessment or give you advice on what they can do to help yourself.
Please ensure the tutor is informed of any result obtained.
Studying at work (online students)
It is expected that employers will give time to their employees, within the working
day, to allow them to read notes, research & complete assessments. Study time
should be away from the unit, if possible, to avoid students being ‘pulled away’
from studying to help with work. This has been a common complaint from
students on distance learning courses in the past. It may be impossible at busy
times, but your support for your employee in this way is invaluable. They are far
more likely to complete the course and will learn much more in the process. This
will, in turn, make them much more valuable members of staff! It is
recommended that you allow your staff a minimum of ½ day per week study time.
Invigilation of tests (online students)
Some units require students to sit an end of unit test and, because most students
are unable to attend the training centre, they will be required to complete these,
under exam conditions, at work.
It is vital that no student should be disturbed or left alone during the
examination time.
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A nominated supervisor should invigilate the exam and, immediately on
completion, place it in a sealed envelope with a signed confirmation (provided
with the test), that the test was completed by the named student under exam
conditions. Students should also complete an assessment front sheet, sign it,
and attach it to their test paper.
Rules for assessments will be provided, with the test paper, the week tests are
due to be taken. If more than one employee is completing the same module, they
should sit the test at the same time.
Assessment rules are available on the IAT web site (www.iat.org.uk) if you would
like to view them in the meantime.
If you require your employee to sit a test at the training centre, please
inform me as soon as possible, so that I may make the necessary
arrangements.
Fees
Online units will be charged at the following rate:
Level 2 units
£10 per credit (76 credits for full qualification)
Level 3 units
£15 per credit (96 credits for full qualification)
Class based units will be charged at the following rates:
Level 2 units
As above + £10 per unit
Level 3 units
As above + £15 per unit
All costs are inclusive of IAT fees. No VAT is payable. Fees payable to the IAT
are £60 per qualification and £20 for certification.
A separate fees ‘breakdown’ is available on our website.
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For any further information, please contact:
Pilar Browne
Tel no:
01223 339901
E-mail:
pilar.browne@admin.cam.ac.uk
Zara Preston (IAT Training Secretary)
Tel no:
01223 339904
E-mail:
zara.preston@admin.cam.ac.uk / ubssts@admin.cam.ac.uk
Fax no: 01223 339903
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