The Columbia Science Review (CSR) was formed in the summer of 2003 by Daniel Tannenbaum and Nan Ma, the founding Editor-in-Chiefs of CSR. Their junior and senior years were devoted to enhance public knowledge of science and technology in Columbia community.
CSR strives to elevate knowledge and awareness of science and technology in the Columbia community as well as foster a science community within Columbia.
When CSR was founded, many science groups existed in Columbia. but there was no science publication that sought to bring science and the general public closer. Therefore, CSR founded a scientific publication that was to be created and read by the Columbia community. Due to the nature of scientific writing, many people are easily confused and frustrated with articles filled with jargon and technicalities. Therefore, CSR aims to publish easy-to-read articles that can be understood by a very broad audience.
In spring 2004, the first issue of Columbia Science Review was published and CSR was recognized by Columbia University as an official student group under the Columbia University Student Development and Activities and the Activities Board at Columbia.
CSR has published articles written, reviewed, and edited by Columbia students. Copies of Columbia Science Review are distributed to current Columbia students, faculty members and prospective students. The Columbia Science Review has featured articles ranging from general reviews on scientific topics to book reviews to faculty interviews.
The organizational structure of Columbia Science Review is modular: there are boards, committees and task forces.
The Executive Board of CSR is comprised of representatives of all boards, committees and task forces in CSR. Executive board members steer the organization as a whole. The Executive Board has two committees: Committee of Finance and Management, and Committee of Public Relations.
The Editorial Board of the Columbia Science Review publishes the Columbia Science Review, a peer-reviewed full-color science publication featuring articles that are written for Columbia community members of any academic background. There are three boards in the Editorial Board of the Columbia Science Review: Board of Editors, Board of Reviewers, and Board of Layout and Graphical Artists.