MAS in Sleep Medicine
Faculty of Medicine of the University of Bern, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences of the Università della Svizzera italiana
The Academy of Sleep and Consciousness ASC offers unique postgraduate education which provides advanced medical and scientific insights into sleep medicine.
An international team of specialist lecturers ensure that course subject matter is on the latest scientific knowledge. The course offers a variety of efficient learning methods, such as seminars and remote online learning.
The content of the program is divided in Basic Knowledge, Advanced Knowledge and Specialization. The first part of the program Basic Knowledge contains of four modules and offers a variety of efficient learning methods, such as seminars and over 20 in-depth online lectures in order to support the knowledge transfer and to ensure a stimulating learning environment. The participant’s professional knowledge and experience will constitute part of the teaching and learning process. Building up on part 1, the second part Advanced Knowledge consists of four online modules with over 30 in-depth online lectures. Additionally, the course teaches theoretical and practical skills in Sleep Scoring. The modules of the part Specialization offers more specific learning content depending on the student’s preferences. The specialization topics are: Disorders and Consciousness, Pulmonology, Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Neurology, Advanced Sleep Scoring, Epilepsy, Insomnia, Narcolepsy. In addition each participant will be able to gain international working experience by completing a 2-4 weeks internship in one of our partner labs all around the world. The MAS Thesis will be the final module in order to complete the full program.
English is the official language of tuition.
Further information: www.asc.unibe.ch
| Degree | Master of Advanced Studies in Sleep Medicine (MAS SCD Unibe USI) |
|---|---|
| Start | 03/2025 |
| Length | 2025 – 2027 |
| Scope | 60 ECTS |
| Cycle | Every 2 years |
| Flexible entry possible | Yes |
| Single module visitable | Yes |
| Place | Online & 2 in-person events in Switzerland / another country in Europe |
| Language | English |
| Admission | The MAS SCD is intended for professionals with a degree in health related disciplines, natural science or engineering who wish to gain an in-depth knowledge of sleep medicine. |
| Registration until | 2025/01/31 |
| Cost | CHF 20’000 |
| Organising institutions | Faculty of Medicine of the University of Bern, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences of the Università della Svizzera italiana |
| Partner | Inselspital Bern, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, European Sleep Foundation |
|
About the program
The content of the program is divided in Basic Knowledge, Advanced Knowledge and Specialization.
The first part of the program Basic Knowledge contains of four modules and offers a variety of efficient learning methods, such as seminars and over 20 in-depth online lectures in order to support the knowledge transfer and to ensure a stimulating learning environment. The participant’s professional knowledge and experience will constitute part of the teaching and learning process.
Building up on part 1, the second part Advanced Knowledge consists of four online modules with uover 30 in-depth online lectures. Additionally, the course teaches theoretical and practical skills in Sleep Scoring.
The modules of the part Specialization offers more specific learning content depending on the student’s preferences. In addition each participant will be able to gain international working experience by completing a 2-4 weeks internship in one of our partner labs all around the world. The MAS Thesis will be the final module in order to complete the full program.
English is the official language of tuition.
Modules
Basic Knowledge
Module 1: Basics science (self-study)
Provides basic insight into sleep and consciousness in a self-study mode. It analyzes and explains the definition of sleep, sleep regulation, as well as how sleep, vigilance and circadian rhythms can be assessed. In all modules, interactive in-depth courses (such as journal club, webinar, case discussion, FAQ session, etc.) are offered.
Programm
| Sleep-wake cycle, consciousness and their disorders: An introduction | C. Bassetti |
| How is vigilance assessed? | R. Khatami |
| How is sleep assessed? | L. Ferini-Strambi |
| Circadian rhythms and their assessment | C. Garbazza |
| International classification of sleep disorders | M. Manconi |
| Strategies in sleep research | A. Adamantidis |
| Sleep and circadian rhytm | M. Schmidt |
| Sleep regulation | P. Luppi |
| Sleep and digitisation | A. Tzovara |
This first module will be accessible online.
Duration: 50-60 hours of self-study
Credits: 4 ECTS
Location: Online: self-study
Exams: The examination will consist in multiple-choice questions. Students are required to pass in order to gain access to the next lectures.
Module 2: Sleep Medicine Summer School
Deepens the basic clinical knowledge on the main sleep disorders and provides further in-depths expertise in managing the diagnosis and treatment of disorders. The Summer School 2025 is the 8th edition of a well consolidated course with great success in the past, formerly known as the Alpine Sleep Summer School and will be held in Spring / early Summer 2025 (city and exact date tba).
The module will combine meet-the-expert-session and theoretical lessons in the mornings with case discussions, and practical exercises in the afternoons.
Courses / Key Topics
- Physiology and chronobiology
- Insomnia and circadian disorders
- Hypersomnia and neurological sleep disorders
- Movement disorders and parasomnia and epilepsy
- Respiratory disorder
Duration: 75-90 hours
Credits: 3 ECTS
Location: tba
Exams: Multiple-choice
Module 3: Interdisciplinary Approach (self-study)
Provides additional knowledge into sleep and consciousness in a self-study mode. In all modules, interactive in-depth courses (such as journal club, webinar, case discussion, FAQ session, etc.) are offered.
Programm
| Sleep & Athletic Performance | H. van Donge / A. Amidi |
| Sleep and Electromagnetic Fields | P. Achermann |
| Sleep in the first two decades of life | L. Tarokh |
| Effects of Covid-19 on Human Sleep and Chronobiology | C. Blume |
| Sleep and Aging | S. Ancoli-Israel |
| Sleep and the Immune System | M.R. Irwin |
| Sex Differences in Sleep | F.C. Baker |
This module will be accessible online.
Duration: 50-60 hours of self-study
Credits: 4 ECTS
Location: Online: self-study
Exams: The examination will consist in multiple-choice questions. Students are required to pass in order to gain access to the next lectures.
Module 4: Sleep Science Winter School
Deepens the understanding of the basic scientific know-how and addresses more advanced scientific topics such as regulation and function of sleep, circadian rhythms of sleep, and methods of sleep/consciousness research.
The lectures seminar will be held in Europe over the course of 4 days.
Courses / Key lectures
- The regulation of sleep
- The function of sleep
- Circadian rhythms
- Sleep and consciousness
- Methods in sleep research - basic
- Methods in sleep research - human
Duration: 50-60 hours
Credits: 3 ECTS
Location: Europe, planned in Q1, 2026
Exams: Multiple choice
Advanced Knowledge
Module 5: Basics Science (self-study)
Programm
| Network neurophysiology | F. Fröhlich |
| Network physiology-pathology | K. Schindler |
| Network physiology of the sleep wake cycle | A. Adamantidis |
| Genetics of sleep and sleep disorders | M. Tafti |
| Circadian clocks: mechanisms and functions | S. Brown (†) |
| Sleep across the life span and spieces | M. Schmidt |
| Neurobiology of the consciousness system | S. Sarasso |
| Sleep, epilepsy and chronobiology | M. Baud |
| Animal model of narcolepsy | T. Scammel |
| Animal model of RBD | P.H. Luppi |
This module will be accessible online.
Duration: 60-70 hours of self-study
Credits: 5 ECTS
Location: Online: self-study
Exams: The examination will consist in multiple-choice questions. Students are required to pass in order to gain access to the next lectures.
Module 6: Primary Sleep Disorders (self-study)
Programm
| Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders | C. Garbazza |
| Sleep-related movement disorders | A. Heidbreder |
| RLS/PLMS: clinical aspects and treatment | M. Manconi |
| Parasomnias and state dissociations | L. Nobili |
| REM parasomnias and treatment | P. Bargiotas |
| Treatment of insomnia: pharmacological and psychotherapeutic approach | D. Rieman |
| Pediatric sleep medicine | O. Bruni |
| Sleep apneas | R. Heinzer |
| OSA treatment: options and complications | R. Heinzer |
| Physiology and phenomenology of dreaming | F. Siclari |
| Pediatric narcolepsy | G. Piazzi |
| Primary central disorders of hypersomnolece I | C. Bassetti |
| Primary central disorders of hypersomnolece II | C. Bassetti |
This module will be accessible online.
Duration: 60-80 hours of self-study
Credits: 6 ECTS
Location: Online: self-study
Exams: The examination will consist in multiple-choice questions. Students are required to pass in order to gain access to the next lectures.
Module 7: Objective Sleep Measures (self-study)
Programm
| Imaging during slepp (IMRI, PET, NIRS) | P. Maquet |
| Electrical activity during sleep (EEG, HD-EEG, MEG, LFP, Unit recordings) | K. Schindler |
| Objective measurments of sleep in the sleep laboratory | P. Pizza |
| Introduction of sleep scoring | A. Castelnovo |
| Introduction of RemLogic and sleep scoring with RemLogic | A. Roussac |
| Practical study with remote access to RemLogic | self-study |
This module will be accessible online.
Duration: 40-50 hours of self-study
Credits: 4 ECTS
Location: Online: self-study
Exams: The examination will consist in multiple-choice questions. Students are required to pass in order to gain access to the next lectures.
Specialization
Module 8: Specialization I
Programm
| Latest approaches to automated sleep scoring | C. Bassetti |
| Oscillatory analysis for comatose patient outcome prediction | M. De Lucia |
| Unobtrusive telemonitoring of sleep and daily activities | T. Nef |
| Sleep clock and society | T. Roenneberg |
| Sleep and electromagnetic fields | P. Achermann |
| A history of sleep and sleep research | A. Ahlheim |
| Functions of sleep and clocks | T. Roenneberg / C. Robles / M. Schmidt / M. Blumberg / C. Cirelli / S. Aton |
| Sleep and brain plasticity | A. Adamantidis |
| Circadian clocks, timing metabolism | S. Brown (†) |
This module will be accessible online.
Duration: 50-60 hours of self-study
Credits: 5 ECTS
Location: online
Exams: The examination will consist in multiple-choice questions. Students are required to pass in order to gain access to the next lectures.
Module 9: Specialization II (choose 3 topics)
Topic 1: Disorders of Consciousness
| Coma: definition, anatomy, pahophysiology | A. Rossetti |
| The neurology of consciousness: lessons from neuro-imaging in coma & related | S. Laureys |
Topic 2: Sleep and Pulmonology
| New pathophysiological concepts, phenotyping and clinical implications in obstructive | W. Randerath |
| Definition, epidemiology, clinical presentation & outcome of obesity | W. Randerath |
Topic 3: Sleep and Psychiatry
| Insomnia and mental health | D. Rieman |
| Sleep in patients with mental disorders | T. Paunio |
Topic 4: Sleep and Pediatrics
| Treatment of chronic insomnia in children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental | O. Bruni |
| Sleep and circadian rhythmicity in ADHD | M. Lecendreux |
Topic 5: Sleep and Neurology
| Sleep and stroke | C. Bassetti |
| Effect of sleep on CSF Amyloid-Beta | B. Lucey |
| Local sleep and Alzheimer's disease | B. Mander |
| Risk and predictors of dementia and parkinsonism in idiopathic REM sleep behaviour disorder | A. Iranzo |
| Treatment approaches for sleep disturbances in parkinson disease | A. Videnovic |
Topic 6: Advanced Sleep Scoring
| Sleep, scoring of motor events | M. Manconi |
| Sleep scoring or respiratory events | M. Schmidt |
Topic 7: Sleep and Epilepsy
| Seizure Cycles | M. Baud |
| Sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy (SHE) | L. Nobili |
| Sleep, oscillations, interictal dischages, and seizures in human focal epilepsy | B. Frauscher |
| High-frequency oscillations in epilepsy and sleep | J. Jacobs |
| Epilepsy, potassium and electric fields | F. Fröhlich |
| Single neuron activity in the human brain | P. Mégevand |
Topic 8: Insomnia
| Definitions, diagnosis and epidemiology | D. Riemann |
| Etiology and pathophysiology: from psychological models to psychobiological concepts | D. Riemann |
| Insomnia and emotion regulation - pathways to psychopathology | C. Baglioni |
| Insomnia treatment - pharmacological options | L. Perogamvros |
| Insomnia treatment - CBT-I first step: Psychoeducation, sleep hygiene, relaxation methods and cognitive therapy | K. Spiegelhalder |
| Insomnia treatment - CBT-I second step: Stimulus control and sleep restriction | A. Johann |
| Beyond CBT-I - acceptance commitment approaches and beyond | E. Hertenstein |
| Using CBT-I in psychiatric conditions | C. Nissen |
| New ways to disseminate CBT-I: eHealth approaches - pro and con | T. Berger |
| Insomnia in general practice | S. Duss |
Topic 9: Consumer Sleep Technology
| Wearable sleep EEG | M. Dressler |
| Public health applications using consumer sleep technology | J. Lynn Ong |
| Wearables and nearables to monitor sleep: from the lab to real-world application | O. Gnarra |
| Biosignals treated for Consumer Health Technology | Th. Penzel |
| State of the Science and Recommendations for Using Wearable Technology in Sleep and Circadian | M. de Zambotti |
| Clinical Applications of Consumer Sleep Technology | Nicola Cellini |
Topic 10: Narcolepsy
| Molecular targets in narcolepsy | Ch. Peyron |
| Pediatric narcolepsy, psychiatric comorbidities and treatments | M. Lecendraux |
| The immune system and narcolepsy | B. Kornum |
| Autoptic studies in CDH | R. Fronczek |
| Data base approaches in CDH | R. Khatami |
| Treatment adherence in narcolepsy | U. Kallweit |
| Burden of CDH | P. Jennum |
| Patients organizations and narcolepsy | L. Sickenga |
This first module will be accessible online.
Duration: 50-60 hours of self-study
Credits: 4 ECTS
Location: online
Exams: The examination will consist in multiple-choice questions. Students are required to pass in order to gain access to the next lectures.
Module 10: Practical Work / Internship Sleep Laboratory
Internship in Switzerland or at a Partner University / Sleep Lab for 2 to 4 weeks.
The student defines the goal together with the mentor at the Sleep Lab. For students who can’t travel for their internship, there is the opportunity to propose a practical project at their local university or lab.
Duration: 2-4 weeks
Credits: 4 ECTS
Location: Switzerland / Partner University / Sleep Lab
Exams: Report of Internship
Module 11: MAS Thesis
Consists in 375–450 hours (15 ECTS) dedicated to research and writing a MAS thesis. A pool of topics and mentors will be provided to the students; nevertheless, every student is free to choose a topic and a specialist in the field of sleep medicine, subject to approval by the MAS program lead.
Duration: 375-450 hours of self-study
Credits: 15 ECTS
Location: Self-study
Exams: MAS Thesis
Module 12: Transferrable Skills
Healthcare Leadership Training
Duration: 40-50 hours of self-study
Credits: 3 ECTS
Location: Live virtual course
Exams: TBC
Organising institution and faculty
Organising Institutions
Faculty of Medicine of the University of Bern,
Faculty of Biomedical Sciences of the Università della Svizzera italiana
Faculty and Scientific Board
The faculty members have extensive experience in academic teaching and knowledge of best practices in the fields of sleep medicine/research, consciousness and related disorders.
Their diverse international backgrounds are a key ingredient of the program’s dynamic environment.
Local Faculty
- Prof. Antoine Adamantidis
- Dr. med. Panagiotis Bargiotas
- Prof. Claudio Bassetti
- Dr. med. Anna Castelnovo
- Dr. med. Corrado Garbazza
- Prof. Mauro Manconi
- Prof. Kaspar Schindler
- Dr. med. Frédéric Zubler
- Dr. Albrecht Vorster
Admission
- In addition to professional experience, following requirements shall be met for the admission
- a higher degree at Master’s level in medicine or psychology,
- b higher degree at Bachelor’s level or higher in the field of health sciences,
- c higher degree at Master’s level in the field of sciences or engineering
- For above items b and c the Academic Program Committee may decide on further conditions for the admission in order to make sure that the program will be completed successfully.
- The Academic Program Committee may grant exceptions “sur dossier” in the admission. For candidates without higher degree or practical experience the Academic Program Committee may decide on further admission requirements in order to make sure that the program will be completed successfully.
- It is possible to participate in individual modules, provided that there are still places available.
- Upon request of the Program coordinators, the Academic Program Committee decides on the admission to the programs. No claim can be made on the admission.
Application and tuition fees
To register for the program in Sleep Medicine, please fill in the online application form.
Application deadline for the MAS in Sleep Medicine: January 31, 2025.
The total tuition fees for the program: CHF20'000
Tuition includes:
- Online teaching and class activities
- Internship in one of our partner universitiy labs (excl travel and accomodation)
- Lecture materials (excluding books)
- Registration and exam fees
- Participation at the seminars: Sleep Science Winter School and Sleep Medicine Summer School
Travel and accommodation for the seminars are not included in the tuition fee and have to be organized and paid individually.
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