Humane Care & Use of Animal Subjects (HCUAS) Training
Animal Care & Use Training
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee [IACUC]
The purpose of this site is to provide a convenient and effective mechanism for training and certification in Humane Care & Use of Animal Subjects in research. All use of animals in teaching and research at CSUB is carried out under protocols approved by the IACUC. In order for a protocol to be approved by the IACUC, all key personnel must be certified as trained in HCUAS. Key personnel are defined as the Principal Investigator(s) and all persons associated with the protocol who interact with the animals on a regular basis.
In addition:
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Key personnel working with animals under continuing IACUC protocols must become certified.
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Members of the IACUC should train on each module.
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Key personnel associated with the CSUB Animal Facility must become certified.
Faculty whose protocols cover courses in which students have incidental contact with animal subject are responsible for providing appropriate training for their students in addition to the CITI - ACU (Animal Care & Use) online training.
Other Resources
Required Course Guides
- Researchers & Principal Investigators
- Research Assistants, Student Assistants/Students Working with Animals
- Research Administrators & Staff
- IACUC Members & Staff
- IACUC Community Members
- CSUB Home Page
Required Refresher Course Guides for Learner Groups - CITI Animal Care & Use Modules
Notice of IACUC Training Program Changes
California State University, Bakersfield’s training program for the protection of animal subjects involved in teaching & research will be changing as of August 28, 2017 - Fall Semester 2017. The CSUB Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) will be using the on-line Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) program for training and certification, replacing our current Blackboard modules. The switch to the new CITI training represents an upgrade from what we have in place on Blackboard Learn.
Individual Investigators (Faculty, Staff or Students): To conduct research involving animal subjects you must complete the appropriate training prior to receiving IACUC approval. As of Fall 2017 you will complete the designated CITI Human Subjects Research (ACU) Course Curricula to either receive approval on a new protocol or to receive a renewal of an active protocol upon expiration.
Research Advisors (Faculty or Staff): All individuals serving as student research advisors supervising student research activity either in or out of the classroom are required to complete the CITI Animal Care & Use (ACU) Course Curricula. CSUB’s CITI Course Curricula, includes five “learner groups”. You will need to self-identify into one group based on your role in the research project and complete the modules that are required for that learner group.
Research Method Courses Instructors (Instructors): All individuals teaching a Research Methods course where the disciplines’ research falls under the category of research involving live vertebrates, are required to complete one of the CITI Animal Care & Use Course Curricula. CSUB’s CITI Course Curricula, includes four “learner groups”. You will need to self-identify into the “Research Assistants, Student Assistants/Students Working with Animals” and complete the modules that are required for that learner group.
The learner groups are:
- IACUC Community Members (33 modules)
- IACUC Members & Staff (34 modules)
- Research Administrators & Staff (40 modules)
- Research Assistants, Student Assistants/Students Working with Animals (33 modules)
- Researchers & Primary Investigators (38 modules)
Depending on your learner group, each module takes approximately 10-25 minutes per modules to complete. Certification will be valid for four years; thereafter, you will be required to take a Refresher Course (2 required modules and 5 required electives of your choice) for subsequent renewal training. Additionally, there are Animal-Specific Courses that are also designed to meet the USDA and OLAW requirements for basic training in the humane care and use of animals in research, training, and testing.