Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Science
available 2017 only
This course has been discontinued - this course is closed for new enrolments, the information on this page is provided for continuing students.
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 trademarks, 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.
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Every international student application is considered for a scholarship
Whether you’re living in Australia or overseas, you’re automatically considered for a scholarship of up to 75% off your course fees. Please check our updated entry requirements.
Start dates
Hawthorn campus
- Semester 1 - 27 February 2017
- Semester 2 - 31 July 2017
Duration
5 years full-time
Full-time
VTAC codes
- 3400210463 (IFP)
- 3400210461 (CSP)
Faculty
Faculty of Business and Law
CRICOS code
085633G
Fees
A$28760 (annual for 2017)*
The indicative course fees shown in Course Search apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
Course details
- Course structure, work integrated learning, career opportunities and professional recognition.
Course structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Science [available 2017 only] 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
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
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Placement
3 units (0 credit points)
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Experience in Law 1 | LAW10016 | 0 |
| Professional Experience in Law 2 | LAW20018 | 0 |
| Professional Experience in Law 3 | LAW30016 | 0 |
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Other studies
1 unit (12.5 credit points)
Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 12.5 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).
- 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
Course learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete the Bachelor of Laws 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.
Students who successfully complete the Bachelor of Science 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.
Work Integrated Learning
Swinburne's Work Integrated Learning program provides opportunities to gain invaluable skills and confidence in knowing that you have what it takes to land a job in your field by graduation. You can also earn credit towards your degree. Choose from six- or 12-month professional placements, professional internships, industry-linked projects, industry study tours and accreditation placements. Find out more.
Choose a professional placement option:
12 months Six monthsDouble degrees provide the opportunity to complete a placement in your preferred field.
Professional Placement in Law
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated Professional Placement A – Law | LAW20021 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement B – Law | LAW20022 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
Professional Placement in Science
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Science | NPS20003 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement B - Science | NPS20004 | 25 |
Double degrees provide the opportunity to complete a placement in your preferred field.
Professional Placement in Law
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A – Law | LAW20021 | 25 |
Professional Placement in Science
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Science | NPS20003 | 25 |
Note: Some Work Integrated Learning opportunities are not available to international students due to visa restrictions.
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 science major, graduates may be eligible to apply for membership of the following professional societies:
Professionals Australia (previously known as APESMA)
Australian Biotechnology Association (ABA)
Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI)
Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM)
Australian Institute of Physics
Australian and New Zealand Industrial and Applied Mathematics
Australian Mathematical Society
Australasian Cognitive Neurosciences Society (ACNS)
Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC)
Sustainability Practitioners Association (SPA)
National Business Leaders Forum for Sustainable Development
Environmental Institute of Australia
Environmental Health Australia
Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)
Scholarships
At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students.
How to enter this course
- Entry requirements, English language requirements and prerequisites.
How to apply
View the Course Admission Information, which includes the ATAR and Student profiles for this course. Swinburne’s general admissions information is also available here.