Project Overview

• What is the Interdisciplinary Science Building 

  • The Interdisciplinary Science Building (ISB) is a brand new 164,000 state-of-the-art teaching and research facility at San José State University.  The ISB will house the College of Science across seven floors of seamlessly integrated teaching and research space. The first six and a half floors will focus primarily on biomedical research and teaching and the 7th floor will also include the nationally-acclaimed Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center.  Programs from the College of Professional and Global education will be housed on the 7th and 8th floors.

• 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 for faculty across the College of Science.

    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 western end of 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. 

• 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 patrons. 

• About the College of Science

  • Approximately 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 20% are traditionally underrepresented minorities, groups who are also traditionally underrepresented in the sciences.  College of Science graduates go on to top graduate, medical and pharmacy schools, become science and math teachers, and join the Silicon Valley tech workforce. 

• 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.

• Where is the project now?

  • The ISB is fully open and operational.

• Project Timeline

  • September 2018 - Approval by the CSU Board of Trustees.

    April 2019 - Project groundbreaking.

    March 2020 - Topping out.

    Summer 2023 - Completing construction; final project efforts, facility testing, landscaping; move-in.

    Fall 2023 - Soft opening and move-in.

    Spring 2024 - Official opening.