Universidad Nacional del Comahue Facultad de Ciencias Medicas

The faculty operates across two main sites in Cipolletti, offering specialized labs and student services.

• Sede Toschi (Main Campus): Located at the intersection of Los Arrayanes and Av. Toschi, housing the main administrative offices and lecture halls.
• Sede Los Tordos: Located at Yrigoyen 2000, this site hosts various academic departments and additional classroom space.
• Clinical Skills Lab: A dedicated area for students to practice semiotics and basic clinical maneuvers using high-fidelity simulators before hospital entry.
• Anatomy & Histology Labs: Equipped for morphological study through dissection and microscopic analysis.
• Central Medical Library: Provides access to the university’s digital repository, including specialized biomedical journals and the SIU-Guaraní management system.
• PEDCO (Virtual Campus): The primary online platform for course materials, virtual classrooms, and academic communication.
• Research Institutes: Home to research groups focusing on regional epidemiology, public health, and basic biomedical sciences.
• Student Dining Hall: Provides subsidized meals to students within the Cipolletti academic corridor.
• Department of Student Welfare: Manages university scholarships, sports activities, and mental health support.
• University Residences: Limited spots are available in university-run housing for students coming from remote areas of the Patagonia region.

The medical program is deeply integrated into the public health network of the "Alto Valle" region, spanning two provinces.

• Hospital Pedro Moguillansky (Cipolletti): The primary high-complexity teaching hospital for clinical rotations in surgery and internal medicine.
• Hospital Castro Rendón (Neuquén): The most complex hospital in Patagonia, used for specialized rotations and residencies.
• Hospital Bouquet Roldán: A key partner for general medicine and community health rotations.
• Hospital Heller: Integrated for pediatric and obstetric clinical training.
• Primary Care Centers (CAPS): Students participate in community medicine programs in both Cipolletti and Neuquén, focusing on preventative care.
• PFO (Final Rotating Internship): The final year involves total immersion in various medical specialties across the regional hospital network, including rural health posts.

Undergraduate education at UNCo is state-funded and free for both domestic and international students.

Scholarship

• Becas UNCo: Includes financial aid for dining, transportation, and specialized material grants for students in economic need.
• National Progresar: Eligible domestic students receive monthly government stipends for academic support.
• Provincial Scholarships: Both Río Negro and Neuquén offer specific grants for students pursuing high-demand careers like Medicine.
• Boleto Estudiantil: Subsidized public transport for students traveling between Cipolletti, Neuquén, and surrounding towns.

• The Vibe: Cipolletti is a peaceful yet growing city in the heart of the fruit-producing Alto Valle. It is closely linked to Neuquén Capital, the largest city in Patagonia.
• Connectivity:
• Bus (Koko/Pehuenche): Highly frequent intercity lines connect the medical campuses in Cipolletti with Neuquén in under 20 minutes.
• Train (Tren del Valle): A modern commuter train connects Cipolletti and Neuquén.
• Safety: Generally safe for students, with the academic areas being very active throughout the day and evening.

• Accommodation: UNCo provides some university residences; however, most students rent private apartments in the Cipolletti city center or Neuquén Capital, which are connected by frequent bus lines.
• Vibe: Collaborative and regionally focused. Student life revolves around study groups and the vibrant urban life of the Neuquén-Cipolletti conurbation.
• Dining: The Comedor Universitario offers balanced, low-cost menus for all students.
• Centros de Estudiantes: Active student unions that organize academic support, print shops, and political representation.

• International Students: Must present a Spanish Level B2 certificate (CELU, SIELE, or CertEA) if their native language is not Spanish.
• Registration: Online pre-registration via SIU-Guaraní is the first mandatory step, followed by the physical delivery of documents.
• Regional Impact: FaCiMed-UNCo is the only public faculty in the region training physicians with a specific focus on the environmental and social pathologies of Patagonia.
• Health Campaigns: The faculty frequently leads public health campaigns in the region, including vaccination drives and maternal health workshops.