What we mean

"We make bold possible" describes our dedication to transformative technical education, to relevant research and, to ensuring our innovations improve human lives. We advance engineering and computer science for the public good. It's what we do. It's who we are. 

Every day, we challenge our students to combine theory and practice for maximum positive impact inside and outside the classroom. We challenge our students -- and our entire community -- to find their big-picture "Why". We challenge our students to discover how their creativity and technical expertise contribute to solving real-world challenges. 

This integrated focus on technical excellence and relevance allows us to train and inspire the well-rounded innovation workforce this nation needs.

[More info: prospective undergraduates, prospective MS students, prospective PhD students.]
 

World-class Research and Education

Our research is fueled by our $316M in funding in the 2023-2024 fiscal year. View our Jacobs School 2025 snapshot brochure (PDF). We are a core part of UC San Diego's incredible $1.76B research enterprise.

In April 2025, we improved our position in the closely watched U.S. News & World Report Best Engineering Schools rankings. We jumped to the #10 ALL engineering schools and #6 among public engineering schools. The #10 ranking is up from #17 in 2016. (See all rankings here.)

We rank #1 among all public engineering schools in the nation for citations per publication.

We also rank #2 in the nation for research expenditures per faculty member. 

While rankings are an imperfect metric, this rise in the rankings reflects our momentum and our strength across the entire Jacobs School of Engineering. Our education programs; research enterprise; agility in partnering with industry, academic and government labs; and our innovation ecosystems are all world class. 

In 2022, we opened Franklin Antonio Hall which serves as an incredible machine for education, research, and industry partnerships at the Jacobs School of Engineering and all across UC San Diego. Since then, Franklin Antonio Hall has won 15 architecture and design awards and has emerged as a national model for the design and programming of academic engineering buildings across the nation. 
 

Community

It's critical that every single student, staff and faculty member in the Jacobs School community feels at home and is empowered to do the creative and innovative technical work they are so capable of. In this sense, we are making our community's bold dreams possible. 

At the Jacobs School, we collaborate across disciplines on both fundamental and applied research. Our world-class engineers and computer scientists create new knowledge, new cures and new solutions to pressing challenges. At the same time, we make behind-the-scenes technical advances that empower others to do the same. Our research informs our teaching at all levels, ensuring that all our students get the experiences they need to emerge as members of the innovation workforce.
 

Engage with us

Whether you are a prospective or current student, faculty or staff member; a member of our alumni community; part of a company or other institution interested in collaboration; or a curious member of the general public; I hope you find the information and the connections you are seeking. 

If you'd like to keep up with our biggest updates, please sign up for our monthly email newsletter or visit our news site. We are also active on LinkedIn, Instagram, Bluesky, X / Twitter, YouTube, Flickr (photos) and Facebook.

As Engineering Dean, my monthly columns are archived here.

Sincerely,
Al

Albert ("Al") P. Pisano
Dean, UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering
Special Adviser to the Chancellor

Updated: 16 May, 2025