Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Science
Course handbook
General Information
Overview
Equip yourself with the skills to succeed in commercial and intellectual property law. Our Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Science give you necessary information about trademarks, patents and copyright laws to help you progress in the industry. You’ll emerge ready to work in legal fields specialising in intellectual property, media, and science.
Study structure
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.
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 | |
Technology and Society
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ART10002 |
Concepts of Biology
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
BIO10001 |
Chemistry 1
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
CHE10001 |
Introduction to Chemistry
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
CHE10004 |
Preliminary Mathematics
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
MTH00007 |
Foundations of Statistics
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
STA10003 |
Digital and Data Systems
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ENG10004 |
Essential Mathematics
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
MTH10010 |
Calculus and Applications
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
MTH10012 |
Linear Algebra and Applications
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
MTH10013 |
Sustainability Challenges in Science
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
NPS10003 |
Energy and Motion
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
PHY10001 |
Introduction to Physics
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
PHY10002 |
Skills and Strategies for Social Change
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ART20003 |
Societal Challenges in Science
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
NPS20011 |
Changemakers in Action
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ART30004 |
BA Professional Practice
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ART30005 |
Grand Challenges in Science
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
NPS30004 |
Units of study | Unit code |
---|---|
Matrices, Vector Calculus and Complex Analysis
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
MTH20014 |
Modelling Nature’s Non-Linearity
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
MTH20015 |
Series and Transforms
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
MTH20012 |
Quantitative Prediction
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
MTH20016 |
Differential Equations
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
MTH30002 |
Optimisation
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
MTH30006 |
Stochastic Modelling
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
MTH30001 |
Numerical and Computational Mathematics
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
MTH30003 |
Units of study | Unit code |
---|---|
Concepts of Biotechnology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
BIO10003 |
Chemistry 2
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
CHE10002 |
Introduction to Biochemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
BCH20002 |
Biochemistry of Genes and Proteins
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
BCH20001 |
Advanced Biochemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
BCH30003 |
Environmental Biology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
ENV30001 |
Computational and Advanced Organic Chemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
CHE30006 |
Molecular Biotechnology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
BIO30004 |
Units of study | Unit code |
---|---|
Concepts of Biotechnology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
BIO10003 |
Introduction to Biochemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
BCH20002 |
The Microbial World
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
BIO20002 |
Biochemistry of Genes and Proteins
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
BCH20001 |
Microbes in the Environment
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
BIO30005 |
Advanced Biochemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
BCH30003 |
Applications of Bioinformatics
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
BIO30009 |
Molecular Biotechnology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
BIO30004 |
Units of study | Unit code |
---|---|
Chemistry 2
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
CHE10002 |
Analytical and Forensic Chemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
CHE20006 |
Spectroscopy and Instrumentation
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
CHE20009 |
Investigative Organic Chemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
CHE20008 |
Inorganic Chemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
CHE30010 |
Advanced Analytical Chemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
CHE30005 |
Surface and Colloid Chemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
CHE30009 |
Computational and Advanced Organic Chemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
CHE30006 |
Units of study | Unit code |
---|---|
Consumer Chemistry
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
CHE10005 |
Built and Sustainable Communities
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PEH20004 |
The Microbial World
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
BIO20002 |
Environmental Management
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
ENV30003 |
Food Science
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PEH20002 |
Water Science
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PEH20006 |
Environmental Biology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
ENV30001 |
Microbes in the Environment
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
BIO30005 |
Units of study | Unit code |
---|---|
Electronics and Electromagnetism
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PHY10004 |
Discovering the Universe
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
AST10001 |
Optics, Relativity and Subatomic Physics
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PHY20004 |
Quantum Mechanics and Solid State Physics
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PHY20007 |
Classical Mechanics and Electromagnetism
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PHY20008 |
Physics Research Laboratories
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PHY30005 |
Thermal Physics and Statistical Mechanics
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PHY30003 |
Quantum, Atomic and Optical Physics
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PHY30004 |
Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 0 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
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20001 |
Integrated Professional Placement A – Law
Professional unit, 25.0 credit points |
LAW20021 |
Work Experience in Industry B
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20002 |
Integrated Professional Placement B – Law
Professional unit, 25.0 credit points |
LAW20022 |
or | |
Option 2 | |
Work Experience In Industry A
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20001 |
Integrated Professional Placement A - Science
Professional unit, 25.0 credit points |
NPS20003 |
Work Experience in Industry B
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20002 |
Integrated Professional Placement B - Science
Professional unit, 25.0 credit points |
NPS20004 |
Students must choose 4 specialised elective units to complete the course.
- 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
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.
Career opportunities
Graduates will have the theoretical and practical knowledge required to operate effectively in diverse settings such as law firms and barristers’ chambers, professional scientific environments, not-for-profit organisations, government, small businesses, corporate organisations and as patent attorneys.
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.
Depending on the choice of major, or minor studies, graduates of the Bachelor of Science may be eligible to apply for membership of the following professional societies:
- AusBiotech
- Australian and New Zealand Industrial and Applied Mathematics
- Australian Computer Society (ACS)
- Australian Institute of Physics
- Australian Mathematical Society
- Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB)
- Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM)
- Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC)
- Environmental Health Australia
- Environmental Institute of Australia
- Genetics Society of AustralAsia (GSA)
- National Business Leaders Forum for Sustainable Development
- Professionals Australia
- Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI)
- Sustainability Practitioners Association (SPA)
Course rules
To qualify for the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of 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 Science (100credit points)
- 8 units of study from a 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. Please note that due to government regulation international students holding a student visa are not able to undertake Professional Placements in this course.
Professional placements
Professional placements are subject to a competitive selection process.
Students who undertake a 12-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 575 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 Science (100 credit points)
- 8 units of study from a 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 537.5 credit points comprising:
- 20 core Law Units (250 credit points)
- 3 Law electives (50 credit points)
- 3 Professional Experiences in law (0 credit points) *
- 8 core Science (100 credit points)
- 8 units of study from a Science major (100 credit points)
- 2 units of study from the Professional Placement Co-Major (50 credit points)
* Please note if a student selects the Business Professional Placement units, the Professional Experience in Law units are required to be completed. If student selects the Law Professional Placement units, the Professional Experience in Law units are waived.
Maximum Academic Credit
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Science is 250 credit points (normally 20 units), 150 credit points maximum from Law discipline and 100 credit points from 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 LOTE, any Mathematics, Physical Education 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.
VCE units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in any Mathematics or equivalent.
Meeting course prerequisites
Applicants who do not meet the mathematics prerequisites for this course will be required to successfully complete Swinburne's MathsLink: Further bridging program.
ATAR profile for those offered places wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR in Semester 1 2024
ATAR-Based offers only, across all offer rounds | ATAR Excluding adjustment factors |
Selection Rank ATAR + any adjustment factors |
---|---|---|
Highest rank to receive an offer | <5 | <5 |
Median rank to receive an offer | <5 | <5 |
Lowest rank to receive an offer | <5 | <5 |
Notes: “<5” – indicates less than 5 ATAR-based offers were made
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.
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.
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: Further bridging program. Mathematics prerequisites older than five 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.
Bridging courses
Applicants who do not meet the mathematics prerequisites for this course will be required to successfully complete Swinburne's MathsLink: Further bridging program. Mathematics prerequisites older than five years are not considered to have met course requirements.
Student profile
The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It provides data on students who commenced in this course in the most relevant recent intake period, including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia.
Semester 1, 2024 | ||
---|---|---|
Applicant background | Number of students | Percentage of all students |
(A) Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course) | 0 | 0% |
(B) Vocational education and training (VET) study | N/A | N/A |
(C) Work and life experience (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories) | N/A | N/A |
(D) Recent secondary education: | ||
Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points) | <5 | <5 |
Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were N/A considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR) | N/A | N/A |
Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was N/A not a factor (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement) | N/A | N/A |
International students | 0 | 0% |
All students | <5 | 100% |
Notes: “<5” – the number of students is less than 5.
N/A – Students not accepted in this category.
Interested in the Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Science?
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