ISB Project Overview

• What is the Interdisciplinary Science Building 

  • The Interdisciplinary Science Building (ISB) is San José State University’s first new academic building on campus in more than 30 years. The ISB will house the College of Science across eight floors of seamlessly integrated teaching and research space as well as space for the College of Professional and Global Education. The total square footage of the facility is 164,000 square feet.

• What will occupy the ISB?

  • Biology and chemistry teaching and research labs, collaboration spaces, faculty offices, and laboratory support areas.
    

    The Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center.

    A collaboration-mentoring hub on each floor where students can work on interdisciplinary projects, connect with faculty, and meet with industry partners.

    An interdisciplinary collaboration space for high-performance computing, where faculty from different disciplines can synergize.

    Data analytics, virtual reality, intelligent systems and metaverse labs in the Innovation Loft for the College of Professional and Global Education.
    

• Where is the ISB?

  • The ISB is located in the southwestern part of the Main Campus in front of Duncan Hall and anchors the Paseo de San Carlos pedestrian corridor. .

• Why is the ISB necessary?

  • San José State University’s strategic plan Transformation 2030 [pdf] and the upcoming Campus Master Plan that guides capital development on campus outline a core campus goal to “rebuild and renew” with modern infrastructure and collaborative learning spaces that bring together faculty, staff, and students across disciplines. 

    
    SJSU’s College of Science, once housed across three disparate facilities (MacQuarrie Hall, Duncan Hall and the former Science Building) can be brought together in a state-of-the-art facility appropriate for the kind of comprehensive and collaborative research work conducted at Silicon Valley’s public university.

• How much did the project cost?

  • Developing the ISB cost $181 million which was funded through California State University systemwide revenue bonds, SJSU campus funds and support from philanthropic donors. 

• About the College of Science

  • More than 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students make up the College of Science, majoring in biology, chemistry, computer science, geology, mathematics and statistics, marine science, meteorology and climate science, physics and astronomy, and science education. Of them, 45% are women, and more than 25% are traditionally underrepresented minorities — groups who are also traditionally underrepresented in the sciences.

• About the College of Professional and Global Education

  • The College of Professional and Global Education (CPGE)  provides access to San José State University courses, degrees, and certificates to learners in the Silicon Valley and from around the world through a total of 23 professional degree programs at the undergraduate and Masters levels, 15 advanced certificates, and three credential programs.