From the atom to the atmosphere, students at DDHS will have a well-rounded education in the sciences.

Our course listing includes studies in general science, biology, chemistry, engineering, anatomy, and physics. We also offer three rigorous advanced placement science courses (biology, chemistry and physics) that allow students to earn college credits before they graduate. Additionally, many courses in the Agricultural Sciences area can be counted to a student's science graduation requirements.

The laboratory spaces at DDHS are top-notch, featuring the latest equipment and resources so students and teachers can get the most out of experimentation and hands-on work. 

Science Courses

Physical Science
Physical Science will allow students to gain a fundamental understanding of the physical sciences. This course will fulfill the physical science credit required for graduation. Physical Science is a laboratory course which will introduce and examine the nature of matter and energy interactions in chemistry, physics, geology, and astronomy. This course is only open to freshmen.
 

Biology
Students of Biology will gain a fundamental understanding of the life processes and how the wide range of living things perform these processes. This course will fulfill the life science credit for graduation. Nature and scope of science/biology; chemical make-up of living things; cells as units of structure and function; the processes of inheritance; structure and function of viruses, micro-organisms, plant and animals; and ecology will be studied.

Chemistry
Chemistry provides the background and skills necessary for the student to interpret and predict physical and chemical behavior at the molecular level. This course will fulfill the physical science credit for graduation. Chemistry is a lab-oriented course designed to introduce the student to the systematic study of matter and energy and its changes. The course emphasizes the measurement of matter and energy, the tools used and the units of expressing such measurements.

Physical Chemistry
This class will build on topics studied in Chemistry. The major topics include equilibrium, acids and bases, thermodynamics and chemical kinetics.

Organic and Inorganic Chemistry
This class will build on material presented in Chemistry. Major topics will include solutions, organic chemistry, and qualitative analysis.

Genetics
This course will explore the underlying mechanisms of biological inheritance, heredity, genetic disorders, and how biological change takes place. This lab based course details an examination of how the hereditary material is passed from generation to generation; the different principles that govern the inheritance of certain traits; the molecular basis for the expression of inherited traits and some of the mutations that occur; mechanisms by which change in species occurs and the implications of these changes.

Microbiology and Ecology
The purpose of this course is to explore the nature of microorganisms; how those microorganisms interact with the environment; and to provide in-depth study of ecological systems and population changes. This lab based course details an examination of different kinds of microorganisms (bacteria and viruses) and the fundamentals ecological systems including communities, biomes, population dynamics and the effect on global issues.

Online Astronomy
This course will provide more online learning opportunities for DDHS students.  This course will fulfill half of the physical science requirement for graduation. Students will explore the solar system, planets, stars, galaxies, the universe, black holes and dark matter, space travel, and the possibility of life on distance planets. Learning will happen using a computer and online resources with guidance from the teacher.

Astronomy
Astronomy is a semester class offered to juniors and seniors.  This course will fulfill half the physical science credit for graduation.  In astronomy students will explore the solar system, planets, stars, galaxies, the universe, black holes and dark matter, space travel, and the possibility of life on distant planets.  Focus will be placed on modern advances, including technology, in the field of astronomy.  Students who have always been interested in space will enjoy this course. Astronomy is a semester class offered to juniors and seniors.  This course will fulfill half the physical science credit for graduation.  In astronomy students will explore the solar system, planets, stars, galaxies, the universe, black holes and dark matter, space travel, and the possibility of life on distant planets.  Focus will be placed on modern advances, including technology, in the field of astronomy.  Students who have always been interested in space will enjoy this course.

Geology
Geology is a semester class offered to sophomores, juniors and seniors. This course will fulfill half the physical science credit for graduation. Geology is the study of the earth, including its structure, composition, and processes that act upon it.  In this course students will learn about minerals, gems & precious stones, the rock cycle, plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes, rivers, glaciers and geologic time.  Students who are interested in the earth and enjoy hands on lab activities that involve the outdoors would be encouraged to take geology.

Meteorology and Oceanography
Meteorology and Oceanography is a semester class offered to any student who has taken biology. This course will fulfill half the physical science credit for graduation.  Meteorology & Oceanography is the study of the earth’s atmosphere, weather and oceans.  Students will learn what factors in the atmosphere affect weather, the different types of clouds, how thunderstorms, tornadoes and hurricanes occur, the affect of ocean currents on weather, what causes ocean tides and what landforms are found on the ocean floor.  Students who are interested in predicting the weather and learning about earth’s oceans are encouraged to take meteorology & oceanography.

Forensic Science
This course will provide the student with an introductory experience in the laboratory work involved in different fields of forensic science. This lab based course is focused on inquiry and problem-solving practices in the fields of biology, chemistry, and physical sciences and how they relate to the solving of crimes and use in the criminal justice system.

Anatomy and Physiology
This course is designed to give in-depth coverage of the structure and function of human beings with an examination of the major biological structures and functions of body systems. This class involves a comparative anatomy (dissection) of the domestic cat to further enhance student understanding between form and function.

Physics 
Physics provide a thorough examination of basic physical concepts that will give the student an insight into the relevance of physics in our modern, technological world. This is an algebra based physics course that provides the prerequisite knowledge of the subject recommended for university admission. This course covers classical mechanics, acoustics, wave analysis, and optics.  Students pursuing medical, sports or arts  related fields post high school are strongly encouraged to take Physics.

Principles of Engineering
This course offers a project-based, high rigor/high relevance curriculum, which will help involved students reach higher standards in mathematics, science, and language arts. In this course, students will explore technology systems and engineering processes to find out how math, science, and technology help people. Special emphasis will be placed on various engineering systems with focus on statistics and strength of materials, and materials testing in engineering. Engineering for reliability and introduction to Dynamics and Kinematics will also be explored.

Advanced Placement Biology
AP Biology provides students the opportunity to earn college credit for their work in high school biology. The class will build off from material presented in Biology, Genetics, Microbiology and Ecology. The major topics covered included Molecules and Cells, Heredity and Evolution, and Organisms and Populations. This will be done utilizing eight major themes that will be stressed throughout the course. A framework for this course is science as a process: Evolution, Energy Transfer, Continuity and Change, Relationship of Structure to Function, Regulation, Interdependence in Nature and Science, Technology and Society. In this course you will complete the required 12 AP Biology labs in preparation for the essay portion of the AP Biology exam. Students signing up for an Advanced Placement course will be expected to take the AP Exam in May.

Advanced Placement Chemistry
AP Chemistry provides students the opportunity to earn college credit for their work in high school chemistry. The class will build off of material presented in Chemistry and Physical Chemistry. This class is designed to prepare students for taking the AP Chemistry exam. Course work and test prep materials are from college level texts. The content is primarily a comprehensive review of Chemistry and Physical Chemistry. Students signing up for an Advanced Placement course will be expected to take the AP Exam in May.

Advanced Placement Physics
AP Physics provides students the opportunity to earn college credit for their work in high school physics.  This class will build from material presented in Physics.  This class is designed to prepare students for taking the AP Physics  exam. The major topics will include: classical mechanical physics, optics, acoustics, and wave motion.  A thorough covering of electricity, magnetic fields, electromagnetism, electrostatics, atomic physics, and nuclear physics will also be studied. Students signing up for an Advanced Placement course will be expected to take the AP Exam in May.

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