Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Science offers students a course focused on commercial law with emphasis on intellectual property law.

As the only double degree in Victoria with this specialisation, students learn about trade marks, patents, copyright, the prohibition of misleading or deceptive conduct and competition law.

The course also provides an understanding of complex scientific information.

Students complete law-related professional experience placements and are introduced to the practical aspects of legal practice through moot court scenarios and advocacy exercises.

The combination of degrees equips students with the skills to work within the knowledge economy and information technology businesses, as patent attorneys, and in legal fields specialising in intellectual property, media, and science.

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Science requires students to complete units of study to the value of 500 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated. View course rules and special requirements

Core studies for Bachelor of Laws

19 units (237.5 credit points)

*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes

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Core studies for Bachelor of Science

8 units (100 credit points)

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Major for Bachelor of Science

8 units (100 credit points)

Choose a major:

Choose a major Applied Mathematics Biochemistry Biotechnology Chemistry Environmental Science Physics

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Placement for Bachelor of Laws

3 units (0 credit points)

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Other studies

5 units (62.5 credit points)

Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 62.5 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).

Elective units Signature Series

Elective units

Any of the following units may be undertaken.

#Students must choose 5 specialised elective units to complete the course.

Signature Series

A Swinburne education prepares you for life. That’s why we’ve developed the Swinburne Signature Series. It’s a suite of study opportunities that embody Swinburne’s ethos – of confidence, clarity and adventure. These opportunities give our students something extra; whether that’s a new perspective on the world through a Study Tour unit, an expanded sense of possibilities through our Innovation Minor, or a deeper understanding and respect for culture through our Indigenous Minor. Like Swinburne University itself, our Signature Series will grow and adapt to reflect the evolving issues of the day.

• Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
• Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
• One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
• See the course planner for an example degree structure

The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Science provides an accredited qualification in law whilst enabling learning to be contextualised to the discipline of science. The degree also provides students with a broad, well-rounded legal education that inculcates an understanding of the role the law plays in our society and of how it can assist Australia as a trading nation. This is achieved by addressing policy and ethical issues and incorporating international perspectives in key units and discrete units dealing with international law, the law of some of Australia’s principal trading partners and professional scientific environments.

Upon successfully completing the Bachelor of Laws, the students will be able to:

• describe and demonstrate the application of the fundamental areas of Australian law and the Australian legal system and of the principles and doctrines that underpin them
• describe and demonstrate the application of ethical and professional responsibility in the practice of the law and a commitment to the pursuit of justice
• analyse and evaluate the interdisciplinary contexts in which legal issues arise and the disciplines and policy considerations that influence the content and operation of the law
• describe and compare the international legal order and the law and legal systems of Australia’s major trading partners
• critically evaluate events or factual situations, identify the legal issues to which they give rise and develop and articulate appropriate and creative responses
• undertake and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to make judgements to solve complex legal problems with intellectual independence
• demonstrate effective and persuasive communication capabilities with legal and non-legal audiences
• communicate proficiently in professional practice to a variety of audiences, function as an effective member or leader of a diverse team and critically reflect on individual performance and professional development.

Upon successfully completing the Bachelor of Science, the students will be able to:

• demonstrate a coherent understanding of science by articulating the methods of science, explain why current scientific knowledge is both contestable and testable by further inquiry and explain the role and relevance of science in society
• exhibit depth and breadth of scientific knowledge by demonstrating well-developed knowledge in at least one science disciplinary area
• critically analyse and solve scientific problems by evaluating information from a range of sources, designing and planning an investigation, selecting and applying practical and theoretical techniques for that investigation and collecting, recording, interpreting and drawing conclusions from scientific data
• effectively communicate science by presenting information or arguments, to a range of audiences, for a range of purposes using a variety of modes
• adopt ownership of their own learning and scientific work by being independent and self-directed learners, working effectively and safely in an individual or team context, demonstrating knowledge of the regulatory framework relevant to the disciplinary area and practising ethical conduct.