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The of : a portrait The University of Bern The curriculum 04 Superbly located and moving with 09 A full range of attractive bachelor the times and master degree courses

In the heart of the city Research 06 Proximity: a major asset 11 Complete networking

Further education 13 Studies after your studies Institute of Practical Sport and culture 14 A hands-on approach to 20 High-quality leisure facilities spiritual issues Useful addresses National Centre of Competence in 23 Studying at the University of Bern Research “North-South” 16 Contributing towards sustainable solutions

Research Institute for Leisure and 24 Plan Tourism 18 Profiling a phenomenon The University of Bern Superbly located and moving with the times

The University of Bern offers top quality people of Bern are welcoming and across the board: it enjoys special peaceable, and the old town of Bern, recognition in leading-edge disciplines, is nestling in a breath-taking setting reputed for the excellent quality of its surrounded by the Swiss Alps, is listed as teaching, offers a delightful setting, and a UNESCO world heritage site. The Swiss a campus environment intimately linked capital also has an outstandingly broad to the social, economic and political life range of cultural activities. Fees remain of the city. The university’s comprehen- very affordable and there is a vast choice sive offering includes 8 faculties and of rented accommodation. There are some 160 institutes that date back to plenty of green areas in which to relax, the XVIth century. With 13,700 , and, for the local, there is nothing more it is of mid-range size among Swiss vivifying than a daily dip in the Aare river. . It retains a human dimension and a warm and friendly atmosphere. Its academic and research organisation prides itself on its interdisciplinarity, exemplified by its three National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCR): “Climate”, “North-South” and “Trade Regulation”. The university is actively involved in a wide range of European and worldwide research projects, notably in the field of space research.

With its central geographic location and attractive programs, it draws students from all ’s language com- munities and from abroad. The city of Bern is listed among the cities that offer the best quality of life in the world: the

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A university in the heart of the city Proximity: a major asset

Unlike many other universities, and in throughout the day and into the evening. spite of its constant growth, the Bern Most of the institutes are located in university campus retains a human the Länggasse, a lively quarter dimension and has not been forced out that offers a wide range of places to to the city limits. All shops and amenities eat and drink: snack bars, restaurants are within easy walking distance. Most and cafes are an invitation to wind down. of the institutes and clinics are located The railway station and city centre within the traditional university quarter with an abundance of shops are just a of Länggasse or at the nearby Insel few minutes’ walk from the different hospital complex. The buildings housing university buildings. the different institutes and faculties, even its biggest complexes, are located throughout the quarter and the uni- versity life is intimately linked to that of the city. This makes the Swiss capital’s university the best integrated into city life.

The University of Bern is a successful blend of past and present. Apart from the vast main building that dates from 1903, its buildings are new, with modern classrooms and lecture halls. The renovation of the impressive Unitobler, a former chocolate factory, has received two architecture awards. The former maternity hospital next to the main building was renovated in 2005. Renamed “UniS”, it has a bar, where people can meet and enjoy refreshments

6 160 Institutes 8 Faculties 1 Complete university

7 13,700 Students 1,001 Courses A full range of attractive bachelor and master degree courses

The University of Bern is a complete interdisciplinary training in general university in the European tradition. ecology to students in all course cycles. Unlike Switzerland’s more specialised The University of Bern has the conviction vocationally-oriented Hochschulen or that an interdisciplinary approach is Hautes Ecoles it spans all disciplines. the only way to find solutions to many Courses include theology, , problems, and collaborates regularly law, the economic and social sciences, with the canton’s Hochschulen or Hautes , veterinary medicine and Ecoles, partner universities, administra- sciences. The University of Bern has kept tions, museums and economic stake- up with changing times: in 2005 the holders as part of a proactive involve- Faculty of Human Sciences was founded, ment in real-world projects. uniting, in a single programmme, psychology, education and sport science. The University of Bern was prompt to lay the foundations for the implementation of the . Since autumn 2007, it has been delivering master and bachelor degree courses in all cycles. The students are thus being offered a wide choice of bachelor and master programmes, some of which are unique and available only at the University of Bern. This is notably the case of “Religious Studies” and “Theatre Studies”.

We are focusing particularly on inter- disciplinarity. Consequently, Public Governance studies take in subjects such as law, and political science. Moreover, the University of Bern offers

9 2,099 Diplomas 487 346 State examinations Research Complete networking

The University of Bern is a leader and history, geography, geology, economics in fact a pioneer in a number of research and physics. This, for example, enables fields, and has had an impact on the a geologist or a historian to specialise history of the science. This, for example, in climatology. Several Centres of is the case of the Physics Institute Competence in Research have recently which, with its space research pro- been created at the University of Bern, gramme, took part in Man’s first lunar for example for Particle Physics and expedition and which today still Biomedical Engineering. continues to regularly supply research instruments and experimental results to On the domestic scale, the University NASA and ESA missions. Bern enjoys a of Bern and that of Fribourg form leadership position in climate research, the third university centre in the Swiss dental medicine, veterinary medicine, Mittelland, alongside those of Zurich and and its University Hospital, the , Lausanne/Geneva. With “Vetsuisse”, is a world-class facility. The University the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine run of Bern is also a leader in three national jointly by the Universities of Zurich research centres: “Climate”, “North- and Bern, Switzerland has another South” () and institution to compete on the inter- “Trade Regulation”. Our researchers are national stage. As from 2007, the involved in networking with international Faculties of Medicine of Bern and Basel partners and in European and worldwide are collaborating in the fields of cardiac research programs. Activities are tied surgery, and care science. together by the “EU Research”coordi- nation office. The International Office advises students at the University who are seeking study opportunities abroad, and takes care of foreign students who come to study in the city. Networking is also of prime importance within the University itself. The national “Climate” research programme includes courses on 11 29 Further education certificates 96 Further education diplomas 172 Further education masters Further education Studies after your studies

Studying today does not stop at a The University of Bern offers a wide university degree: in Bern, a university range of courses and seminars to top education continues into the faculties, managers and professionals from the the institutes and the Centre for private and public sectors. The courses, University Continuing Education. work place training and conferences Opportunities include 46 training courses address economic and societal issues; in the work place leading to three types the postgraduate “Criminology” seminar of degree: Master of Advanced Studies, or the Master programme in “Medical Diploma (DAS) or Certificate of Further Education” are two examples. Education (CAS). Also, many individual courses fall within the scope of the www.weiterbildung.unibe.ch Bologna process. The Masters in “International Law and Economics” (MILE) and in “Health Administration” (MHA) are two programmes that are available exclusively at the University of Bern. Courses are taught by university lecturers and their content is generally designed in collaboration with national and inter- national experts. These programmes keep pace with the latest scientific discoveries and cater to postgraduates who are already in work. In 2008, the University awarded a total of 297 master degrees, diplomas and certificates.

13 Institute for Practical Theology A hands-on approach to spiritual issues

How do pastors deal with death and the Christmas rituals – found that families dying? Is there a need for divorce rituals? use the most important Christian holiday What does religion mean to today’s to celebrate their togetherness using young generation? Students and faculty rituals that provide a sense of identity. at the Institute for Practical Theology address very specific issues, with The faculty and students of the Institute empirical research methods gaining in for Practical Theology not only teach and relevance. For example to assess how pursue their research projects, they also important spiritual values and religion provide continuing education, such as are to young people in Switzerland. 750 psychology, criminology and adjacent pupils were surveyed in the context of a fields, for example to prison pastors, National Research Programme about which in turn may lead to new input for religions in Switzerland to find out how prison inmates. One such result is the relevant religious orientation and values Prison News, a website for inmates of a are to young people’s identity formation prison in Zürich. and mental health. In particular, the survey is hoped to reveal more about www.theol.unibe.ch young people with a non-Christian religious background. Theologians and psychologists co-operate closely in this project.

A different survey among pastors showed that divorce rituals are considerably more common than was originally assumed. They are popular because a divorce decree often does not help dissolve emotional ties. It may therefore be part of the ritual to return Young Swiss people were interviewed about the wedding rings. Another study – of their attitude to religion.

14 17 Museums 6 Open air pools 1 Aare

15 National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) “North-South” Contributing towards sustainable solutions

Managing the NCCR North-South, the demonstrate that – contrary to fears Centre for Development and Environment expressed by politicians and environmen- (CDE) supports research on issues talists – the peasant’s labour actually relating to sustainable development, helped to significantly increase bio- particularly in developing and transition diversity. Now, the peasants are to be countries. Researchers from Bern and supported as custodians of biodiversity; their partners are currently present in the nature park is to be transformed into 37 countries. Global change presents an Area of Sustainable Development. daily challenges to the CDE, whose researchers keep having to question It is the aim of the Bernese researchers to their methods, adapting them to local contribute towards sustainable, solidary conditions. One such example is the solutions – even after completion of mentality of Ethiopian peasants, who the NCCR North-South in 2013. The pro- showed little enthusiasm to implement gramme will be continued by creating a the Bernese suggestion of creating Graduate School North-South together terraced farming fields. The method was with the Universities of Basel and Zürich. considered very labour intensive and wasteful of fertile ground. But those www.cde.unibe.ch who engaged with the experiment can now work on more stable and less erosion-prone slopes. CDE staff have been active in Ethiopia for thirty years.

A research project in Bolivia served as a neutral platform for parties locked in conflict over the creation of a national park. Complete protection of the area would have meant the loss of existence to local peasants. The Bolivian peasants now receive government Bernese researchers were able to support thanks to a Bernese research project.

16 49 Libraries 4.2 Million documents

17 Research Institute for Leisure and Tourism Profiling a phenomenon

Staff and students from the Research arena. On behalf of the Federal Office of Institute for Leisure and Tourism (FIF) Sport, the FIF evaluated the image of pursue their projects both in the Switzerland and other factors during jam-packed public viewing zones during EURO 2008, analysing some thirty the European Football Championship indicators on the of the (EURO 2008), and in remote mountain tournament, and interviewing some valleys. They apply many different fields 18,000 spectators. One of the results of of research, and throw bridges to the the study was that the mega event did public and private sectors, sports and not contribute towards a more sporty culture. The Institute not only conducts image of Switzerland – despite its high research but also applies theories from visibility abroad, and being deemed well numerous scientific disciplines to the organised. The FIF evaluation method practice of tourism. will now be used to survey other mega events. Sustainability is key to the work of FIF researchers. Mountain tourism is www.fif.unibe.ch particularly challenged by climate warming. For the Bernese Oberland, the FIF has designed possible scenarios for 2030. Tourist managers tend to opt for short-term adaptation strategies by offering wellness holidays or installing snow cannons. Climatologists, however, look at the bigger picture: long-term strategies are required to reduce green- house gases. FIF researchers have their work cut out to persuade people to change their minds. The FIF provides suggestions to mountain resorts on how to present themselves in The field of sports is also a very busy twenty years‘ time.

18 11 Drinks dispensers 6 University restaurants 1 Bar

19 Sport and culture High-quality leisure facilities

The University of Bern has achieved a tage of bars and musical clubs for all tas- good balance between studies and tes. In fine weather, its parks and narrow leisure: during the academic year, the side streets become venues for open-air university offers some 300 courses, concerts. We should also remember that training sessions and competitions in the Gurten open-air festival is held in the more than 90 sports disciplines, ranging nearby hillsides. The woodland close to from Breakdance to paragliding. the city centre is a great place to take a Students are invited to join in any of the walk and relax. The Aare river flowing numerous groups and associations through Bern offers the unique opportu- such as the Bern University Theatre, nity to take a refreshing dip during the the Uni Big Band or the university choir; lunch break. All year round, the moun- they can take part in many interest tains of the Bernese Oberland, easily groups or fraternities. accessible in just one or two hours, pro- vide full facilities for skiers and hikers in Students who prefer the downtown search of fresh air, whether they come as life have plenty to choose from: apart families, or wish to enjoy the society life. from the pleasure of shopping in the city’s historic arcades, the Swiss capital has a broad cultural offering. The city theatre is reputed for its innovative dra- matic and musical productions, while many small theatres offer a lively alter- native scene. Art is one of the city’s priorities: the Zentrum Paul Klee enjoys an international reputation; the Fine Arts Museum exhibits works up to modern art; and the Kunsthalle is dedicated to contemporary art. All year round, nu- merous festivals, notably for dance and jazz, are organised. The city has no shor-

20 12,800 Training hours 90 Sports disciplines

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Useful addresses Studying at the University of Bern

Bachelor and Master Studies The University of Bern currently offers 41 Bachelor and 64 Master courses. For an overview, please go to: www.unibe.ch/studium/bachelor.html (in german) www.unibe.ch/studium/master.html (in german)

Graduate Schools The University of Bern currently offers five Doctoral programmes (Graduate Schools for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, Climate Sciences, Health Sciences, Criminal Justice, Advanced Studies in the Humanities, and TESOL – Teaching of Second or Other Languages). For further information, please go to: www.unibe.ch/direkt/doktorierende.html

General student information: Further websites of interest to students: University of Bern www.unibe.ch The homepage of International Office the University of Bern Hochschulstrasse 4 www.imd.unibe.ch Information on 3012 Bern Registration and Admission Switzerland www.sub.unibe.ch The portal for Tel. 0(041 0)31 631 41 75 students at the University of Bern (SUB) [email protected] (in german) www.int.unibe.ch www.zuw.unibe.ch Continuing Education provided by the University of Bern (in german) www.sport.unibe.ch University sports (in german)

23 Editor: Communication Section, University of Bern Published by: Concept: Communication Section Communication Section Creation: 2. stock süd, Bienne University of Bern Artwork: büro z {grafik design}, Bern Hochschulstrasse 4 Photography: Heini Stucki, Stefan Wermuth, CH-3012 Bern Manu Friederich, Christian Perret fon +41 (0)31 631 80 44 Printing: Ast & Jakob, Vetsch AG, Köniz fax +41 (0)31 631 45 62 Editing: 1000 copies [email protected] Version: August 2009