Why Study/Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Science is a five-year double degree combining legal education with scientific study. It is designed for students who want to develop expertise at the intersection of law, science, intellectual property and technology.

The law component provides a broad legal education covering areas such as Australian law, contract law, criminal law, constitutional law, property, intellectual property, legal technology and legal practice. The science component provides a broad scientific foundation followed by the opportunity to specialise through a science major.

Key benefits include:

• Combined qualifications in law and science.
• Legal knowledge relevant to intellectual property, patents, trademarks and copyright.
• Opportunity to specialise in a science discipline.
• Project-based scientific learning.
• Practical legal experience through professional-experience units.
• Development of legal analysis, persuasive communication and problem-solving skills.
• Development of laboratory, scientific and critical data-analysis skills.
• Exposure to international perspectives, policy and ethical issues.
• Professional accreditation/recognition pathways in law and chemistry-related science.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The programme combines a prescribed Law curriculum with Science core units, a selected Science major and Law electives.

Law core subjects include:

• Introduction to Australian Law and Statutory Interpretation — LAW10010
• Torts 1 — LAW10014
• Criminal Law and Procedure — LAW10015
• Torts 2 — LAW10025
• Legal Writing — LAW10026
• Contract Law 1 — LAW10028
• Contract Law 2 — LAW10029
• Evidence — LAW20009
• Administrative Law — LAW20010
• Trade Marks and Related Rights — LAW20011
• Federal and State Constitutional Law — LAW20012
• Property Law — LAW20013
• Land Law — LAW20014
• Legal Technology and Innovation — LAW20040
• Copyright — LAW20043
• Patents and Designs — LAW30011
• Equity and Trusts — LAW30012
• Company Law — LAW30013
• Legal Practice and Professional Conduct — LAW30015
• Civil Procedure and Alternative Dispute Resolution — LAW30029.

Science core subjects include:

• Concepts of Biology — BIO10001
• Chemistry 1 — CHE10001
• Introduction to Chemistry — CHE10004
• Societal Challenges in Science — NPS20011
• Grand Challenges in Science — NPS30004.

Students then complete eight units associated with their selected Science major.

The Law component also includes:

• Professional Experience in Law 1 — LAW10016
• Professional Experience in Law 2 — LAW20018
• Professional Experience in Law 3 — LAW30016

Disciplines/Specialisations

The Science component allows students to select a major.

The current course page lists the following Science major options:

• Applied Mathematics
• Biochemistry
• Biotechnology
• Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Physics
• Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Space Technology.

Programme Highlights

Key features include:

• Combined Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Science qualification.
• 5 years full-time.
• 500 standard credit points.
• Hawthorn campus.
• Two 2027 semester intakes.
• 20 core Law units.
• 8 Science-major units.
• 4 Law electives.
• Professional Experience in Law.
• Science laboratory and project-based learning.
• Legal technology and innovation.
• Intellectual property, trademarks, copyright, patents and designs.
• Opportunity to specialise in a Science major.
• Victorian Legal Admissions Board recognition.
• Royal Australian Chemical Institute recognition/pathway.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne lists potential career opportunities including:

• Lawyer
• Solicitor
• Legal counsel
• Forensic scientist
• Climate modeller
• Sustainability analyst.

International Student Visa Requirements

The relevant Australian visa for an international student undertaking this on-campus CRICOS course in Australia is the Student visa, subclass 500.

CRICOS course code: 085633G.

Generally, applicants need to:

• obtain a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from Swinburne;
• enrol in a registered course;
• maintain appropriate Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC);
• satisfy the Genuine Student requirement;
• meet applicable English-language requirements or an exemption;
• satisfy health and character requirements;
• provide financial evidence where required;
• comply with Student visa conditions.