Welcome to the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department in UC San Diego’s Jacobs School of Engineering, where a strong sense of community, outstanding faculty, students and staff, and impactful research are at the heart of what we do. As you will see in our 2020-2021 annual report, it is these qualities that helped us meet the challenges of the past several months and grow stronger as an education and research community.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, our students, faculty and staff have shown their resilience, adapting to new teaching and learning techniques and maintaining ties to one another. You will read about how researchers harnessed the powers of science, engineering and technology to develop solutions to some of the rapidly evolving issues the pandemic presents, as well as how our current students and staff used their creativity to virtually welcome new students and bring engineering to our surrounding community.

The events of this year have also challenged everyone to examine the racial and social injustices that divide our country. We affirm our commitment to racial equity and equality. We stand alongside our Black colleagues, students and friends, as well as those working to make our society more equitable. Our department will continue to create an inclusive learning and research environment where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

As we move forward, there is much to be proud of and anticipate. This year, the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering rose to the number nine spot in the influential U.S. News and World Report Rankings of Best Engineering Schools. Additionally, our department is set to welcome several new faculty members from a range of disciplines within the field. At the same time, our current faculty and students continue to shape the innovations of today and tomorrow through their extraordinary research efforts and commitment to academic excellence.

We want to end our letter to you — and begin this report — with a note of sincere thanks. Thank you to all of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends who make the ECE Department at UC San Diego such a special place and a national leader in educating the next generation of engineers. The achievements highlighted in this report would not have been possible without you. 

Bill Lin, Ph.D.
CHAIR

Dan Sievenpiper, Ph.D.
VICE CHAIR