Combine critical thinking and an eye for detail with this focused double degree.
Graduate after five years with two degrees and gain practical legal and scientific skills. You’ll have the flexibility to choose from a range of science majors such as animal ecology, biology, biomedical science, biotechnology, chemistry, environmental science, geography, health promotion, mathematics, public health and sustainability.
- * It is recommended that students planning to study part-time apply for the Bachelor of Laws rather than a double degree.
Graduate after five years with two degrees and gain practical legal and scientific skills. You’ll have the flexibility to choose from a range of science majors such as animal ecology, biology, biomedical science, biotechnology, chemistry, environmental science, geography, health promotion, mathematics, public health and sustainability.
You will cover all the academic courses required for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. You will engage in active learning experiences and gain practical skills right from your first year. For example, you will observe volunteer lawyers conducting client interviews at an advice clinic operated by Suncoast Community Legal Service.
You will research answers to legal problems, prepare advice, present legal argument, observe court proceedings, and take part in simulated court presentations in our new Moot Court venue. You can further develop your skills by working with Legal Service clients under legal supervision in law professional practice, or undertake a legal internship.
This diverse double degree is designed to nurture your problem-solving and analytical skills and rewards attention to detail. If you have a passion for science and aspire to a career outside the laboratory, open up opportunities to work as a legal practitioner, patent attorney, scientist or government legal officer.
Law Honours is available, usually without extending the time required to complete your degree.
Majors
A broad range of arts majors are available, refer to Bachelor of Science for further details.
Career opportunities
This double degree program develops skills applicable to many areas of employment including as a solicitor, barrister, patent attorney, government legal officer, scientist or others depending on the science major studied.
Registration
The degree is an approved academic qualification for admission to the legal profession. Graduates must undertake a further period of practical legal training before being admitted as a legal practitioner.
Program structure
Program Structure
USC Law School courses
Introductory courses (5)
COR109 Medical Microbiology
LAW101 Histology
LAW102 Molecular Biotechnology
LAW103 Microbial Pathogenesis
LAW104 Calculus and Algebra
Advanced courses (20)
14 required courses:
LAW201 Discrete Mathematics
LAW202 Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics
LAW203 Numerical Analysis
LAW204
LAW205 Nutritional Biochemistry
LAW206 Social Research
LAW301 Fluids, Waves and Thermodynamics
LAW302 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
LAW303 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
LAW304 International Community Development and Global Justice
LAW401 Survey Design and Analysis
LAW402 Indigenous Australia and the State
LAW403 Introduction to Environmental Justice, Peace and Conflict: Contemporary Issues
LAW404 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
PLUS select 6 elective courses from:
LAW305 Health and Mental Health in Australia
LAW306 Disability: Culture, Community and Change
LAW307 Understanding Cultural Diversity
LAW309 Gender and Culture
LAW310 Playing with Words : an Introduction to Creative Writing Craft
LAW311 Paperback Hero
LAW312 Novel Ideas
LAW313 Editing for the Communications Professional
LAW315 Media Publishing: Law & Ethics
LAW316 Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults
LAW405 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book
LAW406 Creativity and Literature
LAW407 Creative Writing and Editing for e-Publication
LAW408 Reality Bites: An Exploration of Non-Fiction
LAW409 Wonderworlds: An Exploration of English Literature
LAW410 Playing with Words : an Introduction to Creative Writing Craft
LAW411 Paperback Hero
LAW412 Novel Ideas
LAW414 Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults
LAW415 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book
The following 2 elective courses are only available to students who have been accepted into Honours in Law:
LAW440 Communication and Thought
LAW441 Foundations of Australian Law A
Please note: Semester offerings for Law elective courses are subject to change and are dependent on student demand. For more information on elective availability please contact your Program Leaders.
Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering courses
Introductory courses (7)
LFS100 Criminal Law and Procedure A
SCI105 Chemistry
SCI110 Foundations of Australian Law B
PLUS select 1 course from:
MTH100 Criminal Law and Procedure B
MTH102 Biodiversity and Ecology
PLUS select 1 course from:
SET111 Science Research Methods
OR select 1 introductory level (100 coded) course from the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering.
PLUS select 2 courses from:
LFS112 Plant Diversity and Ecology
LFS122 Torts A
SCI102 Cell Biology
SCI107 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
SUS101 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
OR select 2 introductory level (100 coded) course from the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering.
Major courses (8)
- Animal Ecology
- Biology
- Biomedical Science
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Health Promotion
- Geography
- Mathematics
- Public Health
- Sustainability
Note: Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 480
Recommended study sequences
- Animal Ecology Major Study Plan
- Biology Major Study Plan
- Biomedical Science Major Study Plan
- Biotechnology Major Study Plan
- Chemistry Major Study Plan
- Clinical Measurements Major Study Plan
- Environmental Science Major Study Plan
- Geography Major Study Plan
- Mathematics Major Study Plan
- Public Health Major Study Plan
- Sustainability Major Study Plan
- (Sippy Downs) Study Plan - Semester 1 commencement (February)
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete 5 introductory level (100 coded) required law courses including COR109
- Complete 14 advanced level (200/300/400 coded) required law courses
- Complete 6 law elective courses
- Complete 7 introductory level (100 coded) required science courses
- Complete 8 required courses towards your science major
- Complete no more than 15 introductory level (100 coded) courses in total, including the core course
- Register your selected major and/or minor
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses)
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- When enrolling, refer to the Study Plan
- Semester offerings for Law elective courses are subject to change and are dependent on student demand. For more information on elective availability please contact your Program Coordinator
- Honours in Law available for high performing students