Computer Science and Engineering Building (UC San Diego)

In 2002, in order to create a sense of community within the CSE department, the CSE Building was designed.^[5] The building was opened in September 2005, with costs totaling around $41 million, with funding provided by the state. It was designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson and the general contractor was Rudolph and Sletten.^[7] The chancellor of UC San Diego, Marye Anne Fox, stated "This new building helps capitalize on the intellectual and programmatic growth of our computer science and engineering department, and provides the facilities we need to educate the next generation of technology leaders."^[7] To celebrate the opening the Jacobs School of Engineering held a dedication ceremony. Speakers included Irwin Jacobs, founder of Qualcomm.

In the years following the construction of the CSE Building, UC San Diego's computer science program saw an explosion in interest and enrollment (both in students and faculty). This led to a shortage in rooms and space. Undergraduate students complained about being put into basement computer labs, for example, which isolated them from researchers, graduate students, and faculty on the upper floors.^[8] In fall 2015, the department had over 2000 undergraduate students, and at the time was the largest computer science department in the University of California system.^[9]

In 2015, a 7,000 foot remodeling of the building began, which planned to add the Design Innovation Center and more lab space. The renovations also helped integrate the basement to the upper floors, which addressed some of the undergraduate concerns. A majority of the funding came from the Inspiring Imaginations campaign, which raised around $25 million.^[9][10]

Throughout 2015 and 2016, other renovations were also planned. For example, a Master's Commons area was designed on the second floor, and additions would be made to the first floor and basement as well. About 4,500 square feet of new meeting-room space was planned. Along with interior renovations, exterior renovations were also planned. These renovations were completed in 2017.^[5][11]

In October 2025, a new server room was added to the basement of the CSE Building, expected to help the CSE department handle the growing demands of AI Computing. As of 2026, future planned renovations include making the lobby and first floor more welcoming and relocating office staff throughout offices on the first floor, which would open up upper floors for the growing needs of faculty and students.^[12]