Saltman Quarterly is the scientific communication program run by undergraduates through the Division of Biological Sciences at UC San Diego. From its humble beginnings as the Saltman Quarterly journal, the Saltman Quarterly Program was established in 2011 and comprises of several elements: 1. The Saltman Quarterly research journal, started in 2004, is a student, peer-review publication that includes features articles on topical discoveries and full-length research articles written by undergraduates. Upon submission, these articles undergo a rigorous, streamlined review process designed to mimic that of high-impact journals like Nature. 2. Under the Scope is a publication of proceedings of the Division of Biological Sciences’ annual Student Research Showcase that was first published in 2011. Undergraduates work in teams to write articles, each of which focuses on a specific section of biology. Through discussion with the researchers and review of their studies, the authors translate the nitty-gritty scientific details and jargon into laymen’s term and produce articles that synthesize the findings at the showcase. 3. SQ Online, launched in the 2013-14 school year, aims to be a hub for all undergraduate biology majors to interact as a community. We publish student-interest pieces including profiles, student blogs, campus research & resources in a variety of formats. SQ Online encourages dialogue and camaraderie amongst students. 4. The outreach program to high schools in the San Diego Unified School District was established in 2011. It includes the distribution of copies of our publications to local high schools, as well as the mentoring of local students at the Preuss School to write features articles in the Saltman Quarterly research journal which detail the scientific findings of undergraduates in research laboratories. Its aim is to pique students’ interest in the sciences at a time when they are beginning to shape the course of their professional lives.
