Training Classes

Researcher Orientation Classes

Before gaining access to CCM animal facilities, all new research staff must go through an orientation class. In order to register for classes, new staff must be in the process of being added to a protocol. Access will be granted once approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) office.

Classes include classroom presentations, facility tours and a hands-on euthanasia course. Orientation classes are held on both campuses every week.

Participants must contact the training office to schedule their training sessions. The schedule is as follows:

Chicago Campus

Mondays at 1:30pm
Wednesdays at 9:00am

** Classes on the Chicago Campus last approximately 3 hours**

Evanston Campus

Tuesdays at 10:30am
Fridays at 1:00pm

** Classes on the Evanston Campus are separated into a Facility Orientation and Euthanasia Course. Each class lasts approximately 1.5 hours. Each section is held every week and classes are swapped each week (i.e. Facility Orientation will be held Tuesday and the Euthanasia Course will be held on Friday and the following week the classes will switch). Participants must complete both sections before access will be granted**

Other Training Classes

The Training Office offers a variety of other classes on an as-needed basis. If a topic you are interested in is not listed below, please contact the training office regarding the possibility of such a class. Many classes are tailored to the needs of the research staff.

Containment Training
Quarantine Training
Rodent Inhalation Anesthesia
Species-Specific Handling and Restraint
Experimental Techniques- tailored to specific requests from research staff (i.e. injections, blood withdrawal, gavage, etc.)
Euthanasia Training
Non-Human Primate Orientation- must be attended before access will be granted to non-human primate areas
Controlled Substance Training- must be attended in order to use, order, and pick up controlled substances
Irradiator Training- must be attended in conjunction with Irradiator training from the Office of Research Safety and before access will be granted
Introduction to Surgery- includes a classroom session followed by a wet lab. Topics covered include aseptic technique, gowning, gloving, and suturing

Scheduling Classes

Please contact Mollie Kennedy (ph: 312-503-2758 or mollie-kennedy@northwestern.edu) in the Training Office to schedule any of the above classes or to discuss training options for you and your lab.