Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Computer Science
Course handbook
General Information
Overview
The Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Computer Science provides you with an accredited qualification in law while you develop expertise in software development and computer science.
You’ll develop a well-rounded legal understanding of the role law plays in our society and how it can assist Australia as a trading nation. You’ll also learn how human factors are involved in the development, deployment and use of computer-based systems.
Study structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Computer 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.
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.
Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight 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.
Units of study | Unit code |
---|---|
Core units | |
Introduction to Australian Law and Statutory Interpretation
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW10010 |
Contract Law
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW10011 |
Commercial Law
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW10013 |
Torts 1
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW10014 |
Criminal Law and Procedure
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW10015 |
Torts 2
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW10025 |
Legal Writing
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW10026 |
Evidence
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW20009 |
Administrative Law
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW20010 |
Trade Marks and Related Rights
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW20011 |
Federal and State Constitutional Law
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW20012 |
Property Law
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW20013 |
Land Law
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW20014 |
Legal Technology and Innovation
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW20040 |
Copyright
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW20043 |
Patents and Designs
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW30011 |
Equity and Trusts
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW30012 |
Company Law
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW30013 |
Legal Practice and Professional Conduct
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW30015 |
Civil Procedure and Alternative Dispute Resolution
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW30029 |
Professional Experience in Law 1
Core unit |
LAW10016 |
Professional Experience in Law 2
Core unit |
LAW20018 |
Professional Experience in Law 3
Core unit |
LAW30016 |
Units of study | Unit code |
---|---|
Core units | |
Computer Systems
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
COS10004 |
Introduction to Programming
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
COS10009 |
Technology in an Indigenous Context Project
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
COS10025 |
Web Technology Project
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
COS10026 |
Networks and Switching
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
TNE10006 |
Object Oriented Programming
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
COS20007 |
Computing Technology Project A
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
COS40005 |
Computing Technology Project B
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
COS40006 |
Units of study | Unit code |
---|---|
Cloud Computing Architecture
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS20019 |
Database Design Project
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS20031 |
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS30019 |
Intelligent Systems
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS30018 |
Computing Technology Innovation Project
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS30049 |
Applied Machine Learning
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS30082 |
Software Architectures and Design
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
SWE30003 |
Artificial Intelligence for Engineering
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS40007 |
Units of study | Unit code |
---|---|
Cloud Computing Architecture
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS20019 |
Database Design Project
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS20031 |
Malware Analysis
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS20030 |
Computing Technology Innovation Project
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS30049 |
Internet and Cybersecurity for Engineering Applications
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
TNE20003 |
Network Security and Resilience
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
TNE30009 |
Software Architectures and Design
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
SWE30003 |
IT Security
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS30015 |
Units of study | Unit code |
---|---|
Cloud Computing Architecture
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS20019 |
Data Science Principles
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS10022 |
Database Design Project
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS20031 |
Big Data Architecture and Application
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS20028 |
Computing Technology Innovation Project
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS30049 |
Software Architectures and Design
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
SWE30003 |
Data Visualisation
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS30045 |
Software Deployment and Evolution
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
SWE40006 |
Units of study | Unit code |
---|---|
3D Modelling for Objects and Environments
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD20022 |
Artificial Intelligence for Games
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS30002 |
Database Design Project
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS20031 |
Software Development for Mobile Devices
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS30017 |
Games Programming
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS30031 |
Computing Technology Innovation Project
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS30049 |
Software Architectures and Design
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
SWE30003 |
Software Deployment and Evolution
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
SWE40006 |
Units of study | Unit code |
---|---|
Cloud Computing Architecture
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS20019 |
Database Design Project
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS20031 |
Network Administration
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
TNE10005 |
Software Development for Mobile Devices
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS30017 |
Computing Technology Innovation Project
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS30049 |
IoT Programming
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
SWE30011 |
Software Architectures and Design
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
SWE30003 |
Advanced Web Development
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS30020 |
Units of study | Unit code |
---|---|
Cloud Computing Architecture
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS20019 |
Database Design Project
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS20031 |
Data Structures and Patterns
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS30008 |
Software Testing and Reliability
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
SWE30009 |
Computing Technology Innovation Project
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS30049 |
Interface Design and Development
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS30043 |
Software Architectures and Design
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
SWE30003 |
Concurrent Programming
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS40003 |
Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 50 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for either 6 or 12 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.
Units of study | Unit code |
---|---|
Option 1 | |
Work Experience in Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20001 |
Integrated Professional Placement A - Information and Communication Technology
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
ICT20013 |
Work Experience in Industry B
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20002 |
Integrated Professional Placement B - Information and Communication Technology
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
ICT20014 |
or | |
Option 2 | |
Integrated Professional Placement A – Law
Academic unit |
LAW20021 |
Integrated Professional Placement B – Law
Academic unit |
LAW20022 |
Work Experience in Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20001 |
Work Experience in Industry B
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20002 |
Any of the following units may be undertaken
- LAW20007 International Commercial Law
- LAW20024 Law and the Media
- LAW20033 Taxation Law
- LAW20035 Public and Private International Law
- LAW20036 Competition Law and Policy
- LAW20037 Asian Commercial Law
- LAW20038 Privacy in Law and Society
- LAW20039 Indonesia Law, Governance and Culture Study Tour
- LAW20041 Advanced Criminal Law and Sentencing
- LAW20042 Advanced Intellectual Property Law
- LAW30026 Legal Research Project
- LAW30027 Advanced Legal Research Project 1
- LAW30028 Advanced Legal Research Project 2
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Laws, graduates should 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 successful completion of the Bachelor of Computer Science, graduates will be able to:
- apply a broad and coherent knowledge of computer science and software development in diverse contexts and domains using critical thinking and judgement
- apply appropriate methods and contemporary tools to the scoping, analysis, design, construction, verification and operation of software systems
- communicate proficiently to a variety of audiences, function as an effective member or leader of a team, and use the basic tools and practices of project management within project work
- demonstrate professionalism, integrity, ethical conduct, professional accountability and an awareness of professional practice in a global context
- apply problem analysis and decision-making methodologies to identify, design and implement solutions to industry relevant problems with intellectual independence
- reflect on personal performance, learning, and self-management processes as a means of continued professional development and lifelong learning.
Course rules
To qualify for the Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Computer Science, students must complete 500 credit points comprising:
- 20 core Law units (250 credit points)
- 4 Law electives (50 credit points)
- 3 Professional Experiences in law (0 credit points) *
- 8 core Computer Science units of study (100 credit points)
- 8 units of study from a Computer Science Major (100 credit points)
Students complete no more than 200 credit points (16 units) at Introductory Level (i.e. Stage 1 - eg: LAW1XXXX). A unit of study can only be counted once. Where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternative unit.
Domestic students also have an opportunity to undertake a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Professional Placement.
Career opportunities
Bachelor of Laws graduates will have the theoretical and practical knowledge required to operate effectively in diverse settings such as law firms and barristers’ chambers, not-for-profit organisations, government, small businesses and corporate organisations. In particular, the specialisation in intellectual property law equips graduates for careers in the new knowledge economy, giving them the skills to work in media and entertainment, design, branding and advertising, and in internet companies and firms advising information-dependent industries.
Bachelor of Computer Science graduates typically find employment in organisations engaged in medium- to large-scale software development. Initially, graduates are usually employed in technical areas such as programming and systems analysis and design, internet systems development. They are well-prepared for progression into project leadership and management positions as their experience develops.
Professional placements
Students who undertake a 12-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 600 credit points comprising:
- 20 core Law units (250 credit points)
- 4 Law electives (50 credit points)
- 3 Professional Experiences in law (0 credit points) * (see note below)
- 8 core Computer Science units of study (100 credit points)
- 8 units of study from a Computer Science Major (100 credit points)
- 4 units of study from the Professional Placement Co-Major (100 credit points)
Students who elect to undertake a 6-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 550 credit points comprising:
- 20 core Law units (250 credit points)
- 4 Law electives (50 credit points)
- 3 Professional Experiences in law (0 credit points) * (see note below)
- 8 core Computer Science units of study (100 credit points)
- 8 units of study from a Computer Science Major (100 credit points)
- 2 units of study from the Professional Placement co-major (50 credit points)
Professional recognition
The Bachelor of Laws satisfies the academic requirements for admission to practice as a lawyer in the Victorian and Australian Federal legal systems as set by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board. Please be advised that non-academic requirements must also be satisfied for admission to practice and that no law degree allows graduates to practise straight away.
The Bachelor of Computer Science is accredited with the Australian Computer Society at the professional level.
Maximum Academic Credit
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Computer Science is 250 credit points (normally 20 units), 150 credit points maximum from Law discipline and 100 credit points from Computer Science discipline.
Admission criteria
Information about Swinburne's general admission criteria can be found at Admissions at Swinburne - Higher Education webpage.
Entry requirements
A. Applicants with recent secondary education (within past three years)
ATAR
This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.
Guaranteed ATAR: if you receive an ATAR of 85 or higher and meet all the essential requirements for this course, you will be guaranteed an offer.
Educational history
An applicant's entire academic history, including ATAR results, will be considered for entry into this course.
Selection rank adjustments
Selection ranks for this course will be calculated based on your ATAR with adjustments to overall study scores based on subjects studied, location of your home address, SEAS application, and participation In Swinburne's Early Leaders program. For further details about selection rank adjustments, see Admissions at Swinburne.
Subject Adjustments
A study score of 25 in any Business, any Humanities, any Information Technology, any LOTE, Maths: Specialist Mathematics or any Science equals 2 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points.
Meeting course prerequisites
VCE units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in any English (except EAL) or at least 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent.
B. Applicants with higher education study
Educational history
An applicant's entire academic history, including results from previous higher education study will be considered for entry into this course. If previous higher education qualifications are incomplete, results must have been obtained in the last seven years.
Meeting course prerequisites
As for Year 12 or equivalent.
Bridging courses
Applicants who do not meet the mathematics prerequisites for this course will be required to successfully complete Swinburne's MathsLink: General bridging program. Mathematics prerequisites older than ten years are not considered to have met course requirements.
C. Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study
Educational history
An applicant's entire academic history from the past seven years, including complete and/or incomplete post-secondary VET studies, will be considered for entry into this course. Only graded results will be considered.
Meeting course prerequisites
As for Year 12 or equivalent.
Bridging courses
Applicants who do not meet the mathematics prerequisites for this course will be required to successfully complete Swinburne's MathsLink: General bridging program. Mathematics prerequisites older than ten years are not considered to have met course requirements.
D. Applicants with work and life experience
Entire academic record
This course uses an applicant's entire academic record as part of its selection considerations, including an applicant's ATAR results from the last seven years can be considered for entry into this course.
Meeting course prerequisites
As for Year 12 or equivalent.
STAT/Bridging courses
Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.
Interested in the Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Computer Science?
From state-of-the-art facilities to opportunities to engage with industry – this course is designed with your future in mind. Let's get started.