CAS in Dance Science: Motor Learning & Training

The CAS in Dance Science: Motor Learning & Training of the University of Bern comprises 16 ECTS points and is part of the Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Dance Science. The CAS programme can also be completed separately.

The programme comprises 22 course days (147 contact hours) and 16 ECTS-points (ca. 480 working hours in total).

Teaching language is English.

Target audience

The continuing education programme in Dance Science addresses the following target audience from the field of movement, sports, and dance:

• Dance professionals (dancers, teachers, choreographers)
• Artistic directors of schools, dance companies and theatres
• Human Movement Scientists/Sport Scientists
• Physical education teachers
• Physiotherapists, Mensendiek-therapists, Osteopaths, Alexander-, Feldenkrais-, Spiraldynamik-, Pilates- or Gyrotonic instructors
• Experts in the area of medicine, psychology, pedagogy and education, nutrition, biology and biomechanics

Field of application

Graduates of the MAS/CAS in Dance Science are able to apply their knowledge in several ways:

• They are able to improve the training and health of students, professional and amateur dancers through evidenced-based programmes that are both age and population specific.
• They are able to collaborate in scientific research in the field of dance or sport science.
• They are able to teach Dance Science principles in vocational dance programmes (e.g. dance or dance pedagogy).
• They are able to advise directors of dance companies and schools/institutions on well-balanced and healthy training principles, as well as pedagogically responsible training for children, young adults and the elderly.
• They are able to advise the leaders of senior care facilities on the implementation of dance training for the elderly that can improve their quality of life.
• They are able to continue working professional as better-informed dancers, dance teachers or therapists.

16 ECTS points will be acquired within 12 months (February 2024- February 2025). The CAS programme in Dance Science: Motor Learning & Training is compound of 150 contact hours and 330 hours of self-study (contact hours on weekends). The programme starts every other year in February of even years (2024...) and takes place in Berne, Switzerland.

Dates 2024/25

Weekend 1: 8 - 10 March 2024

Weekend 2: 12 - 14 April 2024

Weekend 3: 11 / 12 May2024

Weekend 4: 15 / 16 June2024

Weekend 5: 13 / 14 July 2024

Weekend 6: 24 / 25 August 2024

Weekend 7: 5 / 6 October 2024

Weekend 8: 30 November / 1 December 2024

Weekend 9: 11 / 12 January 2025

Weekend 10: 8 / 9  February 2025

Dates 2026/27

Weekend 1: 6 - 8 March 2026
Weekend 2: 10 - 12 April 2026
Weekend 3: 16 / 17 May 2026
Weekend 4: 20 / 21 June 2026
Weekend 5: 18 / 19 July 2026
Weekend 6: 29 / 30 August 2026
Weekend 7: 10 / 11 October 2026
Weekend 8: 5 / 6 December 2026
Weekend 9: 16 / 17 January 2027
Weekend 10: 13 / 14 February 2027

Module 1: Motor Control and Learning

2 x 3 days (4 ECTS points)

Fundamentals:

• Basics of coordination: motor control
• Adaptation to coordination: motor learning and motor development (across lifespan), pathology of motor control

Application:

• Experiments and exercises on motor control
• Exercises and examples on motor learning for professional and amateur dancers
• Inputs for teaching dance movements to children, adolescents, young and older adults, and people with disabilities

Module 2: Science of Training

3 x 2 days (4 ECTS points)

Fundamentals:

• Basics and application field of the science of (dance) training
• General aspects of training in sports and dance
• Basics of motor abilities related to professional and amateur dancers

Training in professional dance:

• Performance assessment and didactic principles of training across populations (children, adolescents, adults)
• Theory and application of conditioning and coordination testing
• Various training methodologies
• Relaxation and sleep

Training with amateur dancers and dancers with disabilities:

• Training methodologies with amateur dancers through lifespan
• Execution of several conditioning and coordination tests
• Characteristics of training with children and the elderly
• Characteristics of training people with diseases and disabilities
• Characteristics of dance as a performance enhancement in athletes

Module 3: Biomechanics

3 x 2 days (4 ECTS points)

Fundamentals I:

• Basics of biomechanics I
• Loading capacity of biological structures
• Methods of movement analysis I

Fundamentals II/Application I:

• Methods of movement analysis II
• Technical aspects of dance floors
• Introduction to the sensor-motor laboratory
• Experiments with rotations and jumps
• Video analysis in practice I

Application II:

• Analysing and correcting movement
• Video analysis in practice II
• Introduction to force plate, accelerometers, electromyography
• Statistical analysis of recorded data

Module 4: Embedded Research Skills

2 x 1 day (1 ECTS point)

Research Method I:

• Understanding statistics: The principle of statistical testing, basics of statistics
• Handling of numerical data sets
• Structure of a scientific paper, searching and citing literature at the example of an analysis of dance training

Research Method II:

• Evaluation of data in practice
• Understanding statistics: repetition, exercises, question and discussion round
• Analysis of dance training: practical assignments

Assessment

The assessment of the Certificate of Advanced Studies in Dance Science: Motor Learning & Training contains the following elements:

• Presence at block appointments (minimal 90% in total)
• Written exam with multiple choice and open-end questions
• Written paper (analysis of a dance training)

The programme management decides based on above elements on the passing of the assessment and the issuing of the Certificate.

Organising Institution

Institute of Sport Science

Members of the programme management MAS/CAS Dance Science

• Dr. Derrick D. Brown, Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne, Australia
• Dr. med Anja Hauschild, Medical School Hamburg, Germany
• Prof. Dr. Ernst-Joachim Hossner, Institut für Sportwissenschaft, Universität Bern (Vorsitz)
• Prof. Dr. med. Paul Krack, Inselspital, Universität Bern
• Prof. Dr. Fred Mast, Institut für Psychologie, Universität Bern
• Dr. Andrea Schärli, Institut für Sportwissenschaft, Universität Bern (Studienleitung)
• Prof. Dr. Mirko Schmidt, Institut für Sportwissenschaft, Universität Bern

Lecturers

• Prof. Dr. Nicole Wenderoth
• Derrick Brown
• Prof. Dr. Daniel Erlacher
• Dr. Luke Hopper
• Prof. Dr. Ernst-Joachim Hossner
• Nico Kolokythas
• Dr. Ralf Kredel
• Edel Quin
• Dr. Andrea Schärli
• Dr. Rolf van de Langenberg
• Prof. Dr. Matthew Wyon

Candidates must have a degree from a University, ‚Fachhochschule‘, vocational education or equivalent as well as having proof of appropriate experience in the field of dance or another movement related field. This requirement may be waived if the candidate displays exceptional experience in the dance field

The study fee for the CAS in Dance Science: Motor Learning & Training is CHF 4'500.

The fee has to be paid before the start of the course with the bill delivered, i.e., until by the latest 30 January 2026. In exceptions, payment with maximal 3 instalments is possible.

Application for the CAS in Dance Science: Motor Learning & Training until 20 December 2025.