CAS Strate­gic 3Rs Im­ple­men­ta­tion in Bio­med­ical Re­search and Test­ing, FHNW School of Life Sciences

Part 1: Introduction to the 3Rs, the 3Vs and the historical foundations of animal use in research, testing and education (2 days)

Key question: How are the basic guiding principles for good practice in animal use in research, testing, and education applied?

Focus: Animal use in research is conducted within an ethical framework that requires the justification of the indispensability of the animal use and the application of the 3Rs principle. This part introduces the historical foundations of animal experimentation, including societal expectations in research, testing and education. Participants will explore the 3Vs (Construct Validity, Internal Validity, External Validity) and the concept of indispensability, and how these principles guide ethical evaluation in a regulatory context.

Learning goals:

• Understand the ethical foundations and societal contexts of animal experimentation.
• Assess and apply the 3Vs and the 3Rs frameworks in research pipelines and regulatory decision-making.
• Understand the concept of indispensability and its role in the ethical evaluation of animal use in research.

Part 2: Legal and regulatory frameworks governing animal use and alternative methods (2 days)

Key question: How do legal frameworks and ethical review processes shape decisions about animal use in research?

Focus: Animal experimentation is governed by evolving legal and regulatory frameworks that define how the 3Rs must be applied and evaluated. This part examines the Swiss and international regulatory context for animal use and alternative approaches for scientific purposes, including safety and efficacy testing across different sectors. Participants also gain knowledge in the ethical review and approval processes and learn how the Harm–Benefit Analysis (HBA) is applied in practice.

Learning goals:

• Interpret key international and Swiss regulatory frameworks governing animal experimentation.
• Interpret key international and Swiss regulatory frameworks governing regulatory implementation of alternative approaches such as New Approach Methodologies (NAMs).
• Understand the ethical approval process and apply the Harm–Benefit Analysis for research proposals involving animal use.

This module is offered as individually bookable Short Advanced Studies (SAS) The 3Rs: Ethics, scientific validity, and alternative methods within legal and regulatory frameworks.

Key question: When and how can alternative approaches replace or complement animal models?

Focus: A wide range of alternative approaches such as New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) are increasingly used to replace or complement animal models in biomedical and safety research. This part introduces key replacement technologies, including in vitro systems, in silico approaches and alternative model organisms, and examines how they are applied in areas such as drug development, food safety and ecotoxicology. Through case studies and practical demonstrations, participants explore the opportunities, limitations and regulatory considerations involved in implementing these approaches.

Learning goals:

• Understand the range of replacement technologies available.
• Evaluate when and how alternative approaches including NAMs can replace or complement animal models in different research and testing contexts.
• Assess the scientific and regulatory considerations involved in implementing replacement methods, including challenges related to validation, standardisation and acceptance.

This module is offered as individually bookable Short Advanced Studies (SAS) The 3Rs: Replacement strategies and implementation of alternative approaches (NAMS) in biomedical research.

Part 1: Reduction strategies: Designing studies that minimize animal use (2 days)

Key question: How can studies be designed to obtain robust results while using fewer animals?

Focus: Reducing animal use while maintaining robust and reproducible scientific results requires careful experimental planning, appropriate statistical approaches and the use of innovative technologies. This part explores practical tools and guidelines, such as PREPARE, GIVCCP and pre-registration, that support better study planning and help minimise unnecessary animal use. Participants also examine how emerging technologies, including advanced imaging, digital twins and AI-supported assessment tools, can contribute to reduction strategies in biomedical research.

Learning goals:

• Apply planning frameworks and guidelines to improve experimental design and reduce unnecessary animal use.
• Use statistical and methodological approaches to optimise study design, ensuring robust scientific outcomes while minimising the number of animals required.
• Understand how emerging technologies can contribute to reduction strategies in biomedical research.

Part 2: Refining strategies: Improving animal welfare and scientific quality (2 days)

Key question: How can animal welfare be improved while enhancing the quality of scientific data?

Focus: Refinement aims to minimise animal suffering while improving the quality and reliability of scientific data. This part examines practical approaches to refining animal housing, handling and care across different research environments, including academic institutions and industry settings. Participants also explore methods for assessing and monitoring animal welfare, such as severity assessment, behavioural analysis and home-cage monitoring, and how these approaches support both animal welfare and robust research outcomes.

Learning goals:

• Understand the principles of animal welfare, severity assessment and severity grading and how these are applied in research environments.
• Identify opportunities to refine animal housing, husbandry and experimental procedures across different research contexts.
• Evaluate approaches for monitoring animal welfare and behaviour with monitoring technologies.

This module is offered as individually bookable Short Advanced Studies (SAS) The 3Rs: Optimising animal studies through Reduction and Refinement strategies.

Key question: How can the 3Rs be effectively advanced within research organisations and the broader research ecosystem?

Focus: Advancing the 3Rs beyond minimum compliance requires more than scientific solutions: it also involves institutional culture, stakeholder engagement and effective communication. This module examines how societal expectations, regulatory dynamics and organisational practices shape the implementation of the 3Rs in research. Participants explore approaches for strengthening 3Rs practices within their organisations, including the Culture of Care framework, institutional networks and strategies for communicating about animal use in research and testing.

Learning goals:

• Understand how societal expectations, public perception and policy dynamics shape the use of animals in research and the implementation of the 3Rs.
• Identify organisational factors that support effective 3Rs implementation, including the role of Culture of Care frameworks, institutional structures and collaborative networks.
• Apply communication and change-oriented approaches to support the advancement of 3Rs practices within organisations and engage effectively with different stakeholders.

Participants will apply the knowledge gained to a case study of their choice, examining a real-world challenge related to 3Rs implementation and presenting their integration strategy in a final written assignment followed by an online question and answer session.

This module is offered as individually bookable Short Advanced Studies (SAS) The 3Rs: Management, Leadership and Communication.

This CAS is structured in 4 modules, which can be attended individually or as part of the full certificate programme. If booked individually, the successful completion of a module leads to a Module Certificate for Short Advanced Studies (Microcredential). Successful completion of all modules leads to the Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS). Modules completed individually are fully recognised toward the CAS qualification, and participants have up to three years to complete the CAS.

The lessons are on Thursdays. Most lessons take place online, while some are held in person at the FHNW campus in Muttenz (Switzerland).

*Early bird discount: if you book your place at least three months before the programme starts, you will benefit from a special price of CHF 6 500 instead of the standard fee of CHF 7 500.

You can find the timetable of events in the Programme schedule CAS Strategic 3Rs Implementation in Biomedical Research and Testing FHNW 2027 (PDF).

The CAS content has been defined in close collaboration with the Swiss 3R Competence Centre (3RCC), Switzerland’s national centre dedicated to advancing the principle of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement (3Rs) in animal experimentation. By funding research, supporting professional training and fostering dialogue between academia, industry and regulatory authorities, the 3RCC plays a key role in promoting the use of alternative methods and improving animal welfare for better science in Switzerland.

The programme is further supported by leading European 3Rs initiatives, including the 3R-Network in Baden-Württemberg and the 3R Center Tübingen. The 3R-Center Tübingen is internationally recognised for its work on organ-on-chip technologies and other human-based approaches that complement and replace animal testing. The centre also contributes to advancing the 3Rs through i) science communication and public outreach, ii) training, education, and professional development, and iii) tailored research support. The centre is part of the 3R Network Baden-Württemberg.

Through these partnerships, the programme is embedded in a unique Swiss and European ecosystem of 3Rs expertise, connecting participants with organisations at the forefront of scientific innovation, regulatory developments and the strategic implementation of the 3Rs.

• Programme regulations FHNW CAS Strategic 3Rs Implementation in Biomedical Research and Testing (PDF)
• Programme terms and conditions FHNW CAS Strategic 3Rs Implementation in Biomedical Research and Testing (PDF)
• FHNW Continuing Education Regulations (PDF)