Houghton College Chemistry Department

    Dr. Christensen has conducted postdoctoral research at Purdue University and has held a National Science Foundation Fellowship for postdoctoral research at the University of Florida.  He has been a National Institutes of Health Visiting Research Faculty Fellow at the University of Arizona.  He is a member of the American Chemical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Union of Concerned Scientists.  He has also been a science advisor to state and federal officials. 

    Among his academic and professional honors are election to Phi Lambda Upsilon,  Sigma Xi, and listing in American Men and Women of Science, 16th Edition, as well as selection for an Outstanding Educator of America Award. 

    As Professor of Chemistry at Houghton College, Dr. Christensen regularly teaches  Organic Chemistry (two semesters, pre-medical), Advanced Organic Chemistry, Chemical Instrumentation,  Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, and Medicinal Chemistry (Special Topic in Chemistry). He occasionally teaches General Chemistry (two semesters), Impact of Science on Society, and Chemistry Seminar.  He has directed over sixty students in their research investigations at the "Chemistry Project," "Independent Study," and "Honors in Chemistry," levels. For the two-semester organic course, Dr. Christensen developed a micro-organic laboratory, arguably the first in the country. 

    Outside the Houghton classroom, Dr. Christensen gardens, makes furniture, repairs equipment, and presses apples into cider. "Dr. C.," as Houghton students affectionately call him, is known for his rigorous teaching, sense of humor, and creative storytelling.  

Send e-mail to Dr. Larry Christensen