In an increasingly interconnected world, vulnerable to viral threats, training professionals capable of researching, preventing, and controlling infectious diseases is a global priority. Since 1996, the IPK has offered the Master’s in Virology, a postgraduate program designed to prepare specialists for the challenges of global public health.

With an integrated, up-to-date, and scientifically rigorous approach, this program is aimed at professionals interested in acquiring or improving their virology knowledge and skills from an applied, critical, and global perspective.

Why study Virology at IPK?

IPK is a prestigious institution in international health. Its Virology Department is recognized as:

• A WHO/PAHO Collaborating Center for Dengue Research and Control
• A Subregional Reference Center for Measles
• A WHO-certified National Center for Influenza, other respiratory viruses, and poliovirus research

These distinctions translate into practical learning opportunities, access to specialized laboratories, and involvement in research with regional and global impact.

The academic faculty includes highly qualified professors and researchers with decades of experience in the study of viral diseases and postgraduate training.

Program structure

The Master's in Virology is structured around three independent but interrelated diplomas: Scientific Research in Health, General Virology, and Viral Infectious Diseases.

The program includes 11 courses, three integrative exercises (one per diploma), five thesis workshops, a final methodological workshop, and concludes with the presentation and defense of a research thesis aligned with one of IPK’s research lines.

Modality and duration

The program is offered in-person and combines theoretical classes, laboratory sessions, research seminars, and thesis tutorials. The expected duration is two years.

Why choose Cuba?

Studying in Cuba provides a rigorous and supportive academic experience, rooted in humanistic values and a strong commitment to life. At IPK, science is not only studied — it is lived, shared, and placed at the service of humanity.

Graduates become part of international scientific networks and projects that strengthen health systems, improve diagnostic capabilities, and contribute to infectious disease surveillance and control.

Contact

For more information on enrollment, academic requirements, or living conditions in Cuba, please contact:Coordination and Processing Center
Comercializadora de Servicios Médicos Cubanos, S.A.  
Email: docencia@smcsalud.cu

By: M.Sc. Dr. Patricia Alonso Galbán
Marketing and Communication Specialist, CSMC, S.A.