CAS in Sleep, Consciousness and Related Disorders
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 CAS SCD contains four modules and offers a variety of efficient learning methods, such as classroom lectures, seminars and online distance learning 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.
Further information: www.asc.unibe.ch

Degree | Certificate of Advanced Studies in Sleep, Consciousness and Related Disorders SCD University of Bern (CAS SCD Unibe USI) |
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Start | 01/2023 |
Length | Juli 2021 – Mai 2022 |
Scope | 10 ECTS |
Cycle | Every 2 years |
Flexible entry possible | Yes |
Single module visitable | Yes |
Place | Switzerland, EU, online Due to the pandemic situation and the related official requirements, we would like to point out that individual course modules or parts of them can be replaced by distance learning or postponed. |
Language | English |
Admission | The CAS 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 | 2021/04/30 |
Cost | CHF 7’000 |
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 |
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About the program
The CAS SCD contains four modules and offers a variety of efficient learning methods, such as classroom lectures, seminars and online distance learning 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.
English is the official language of tuition.
Modules
CAS Module 1
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 2021 is the 6th 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 Europe for one entire week in Summer 2021.
The module will combine theoretical lessons in the mornings, 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: Europe
Exams: Multiple-choice
CAS Module 2
Lecture series / e-learning
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.
This first module will be accessible online.
Duration: 50-60 hours of self-study
Credits: 2 ECTS
Location: 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.
CAS Module 3
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 of self-study
Credits: 2 ECTS
Location: Europe
Exams: Multiple choice
CAS Module 4
CAS Thesis
Consists in 75–90 hours (3 ECTS) dedicated to research and writing a CAS thesis. It provides therefore the know-how of systematical literature research (systematic reviews) and the quantative and qualitative summarising of existing studies. The student will also learn how to read scientific literature and will be capable to understand and summarize it. 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 CAS program lead.
It is highly recommended to choose a comparative thesis.
Duration: 75-90 hours
Credits: 3 ECTS
Location: Self-Study
Exams: CAS Thesis
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
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, Consciousness and Related Disorders, please fill in the online application form.
The application deadline for the CAS in Sleep, Consciousness and Related Disorders program is 30 April 2021.
Tuition fee: CHF 7’000
Contact

Martina Vögele

Denise Felber
Associate Courses
DAS in Sleep, Consciousness and Related Disorders
Degree | DAS |
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Start | 3/09/01 |
Language | Englisch |
Cost | CHF 15’000 |
The Academy of Sleep and Consciousness ASC offers unique postgraduate education which provides 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 imparts advanced knowledge through a variety of efficient learning methods and platforms, such as online modules and a Sleep Scoring module.
MAS in Sleep, Consciousness and Related Disorders
Degree | MAS |
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Start | 1/07/01 |
Language | Englisch |
Cost | CHF 29’000 |
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 imparts specialized knowledge and transferable skills through a variety of efficient learning methods and platforms, such as online modules (incl. advanced Sleep Scoring) and a hands-on module.
MAS in Stroke Medicine
Degree | MAS |
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Start | 4/02/01 |
Language | Englisch |
Cost | CHF 20’000 |
The programme aims to train the next generation of clinicians and researchers in stroke care throughout Europe. An international faculty of world leading stroke experts will provide lectures, seminars and workshops in close collaboration with the local faculty. The programme offers an efficient mix of different learning methods, both in person and remote.