Basic Knowledge in Sleep Medicine
The program 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 course also offers opportunities for reflection and discussion, content and structure of the course take into consideration needs and wishes of the participants. The participant’s professional knowledge and experience will constitute part of the teaching and learning process.
English is the official language of tuition.
Modules
Module 1
Basic Sleep Medicine (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 |
| The two-process model of sleep regulation: origin and present relevance | A. Borbély |
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 Nicosia/Cyprus on March 31 - April 3, 2025.
The module will combine meet-the-expert-sessions 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: Nicosia, Cyprus, from March 31 to April 3, 2025 (or online)
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 and Athletic Performance | A. Vorster |
| 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. Baker |
| Handling shifts during an overnight sailing regatta - what is the best sleep strategy? | U. Faraguna |
| A history of sleep and sleep research | H. Ahlheim |
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 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/Date for the MAS 2025-2027: Bern, November 2026
Exams: Multiple choice
Students that are not able to travel to Bern, can join most of the lectures online.