Where law and science intertwine.
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.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
- * It is recommended that students planning to study part-time apply for the Bachelor of Laws rather than a double degree.
- * 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
Science and health majors: Biology; Biotechnology; Chemistry; Ecology; Food and Biosecurity; Mathematics.
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
USC Law School courses
Introductory courses (5)
COR109 An Introduction to Australian and Comparative Politics
LAW101 Justice and the Australian Legal System
LAW102 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
LAW103 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
LAW104 Historical Geographies
Advanced courses (20)
14 required courses:
LAW201 Heritage: Australian and Global Contexts
LAW202 The uses and abuses of history
LAW203 Explorations in Environmental History
LAW204 Nationalism and Identity in the 20th Century: Themes and Tensions
LAW205 Research Project in History
LAW206 Indigenous Australia and the State
LAW301 Environment and Health
LAW302 Microbiology
LAW303 Environmental Health Risk Management
LAW304 Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
LAW401 Education Research Theories and Methodologies
LAW402 Professional Learning
LAW403 Diversity and Inclusion
LAW404 Literacy and Numeracy across the Curriculum
PLUS select 6 elective courses from:
LAW305 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Teaching and Learning
LAW306 Using Data for Learning
LAW307 Teacher as Global Practitioner
LAW309 Contemporary Issues in Steiner Education
LAW310 The Art of Steiner Education
LAW311 Steiner Curriculum Development and Evaluation
LAW316 Assessment Principles and Practice in Steiner Education
LAW318 Communication and Thought
LAW405 Foundations of Human Behaviour
LAW406 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
LAW407 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
LAW408 Social Work and Human Services Practice
LAW410 Social Research
LAW411 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
LAW412 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
LAW414 Working Effectively with Aboriginal People
LAW415 Understanding Cultural Diversity
LAW416 Mental Health and Social Work
The following 2 elective courses are only available to students who have been accepted into Honours in Law:
LAW440 Working With Children, Youth and Families
LAW441 Ethical Practice in the Helping Professions
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 Coordinator.
Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering courses
Introductory courses (6)
LFS100 Health & Mental Health in Australia
SCI102 Social Work Field Education 1
SCI105 Community Development and Social Action
SCI110 Complexity and Social Work: Group-Based Approaches
SCI113 Critical Social Policy Analysis
PLUS select 1 course from:
MTH100 Organisational Contexts for Social Work Practice
MTH102 Social Work Field Education 2
Major courses (8)
Elective course (1)
Select 1 elective course from the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Note: Program structures are subject to change. 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) Semester 1 commencement (February)
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 480 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete no more than 15 introductory level (100 coded) courses in total, including the core course
- For students wishing to complete Honours in Law, they must complete a minimum of 2 Law elective courses at a 400 coded level
- You must select and register your compulsory major(s)/minor(s) as soon as possible
Program notes
- MTH102 assumes you have successfully completed Years 11-12 Mathematics B (or equivalent). Note that MTH102 is a prerequisite for advanced level (200/300 coded) mathematics courses
- 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 which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- 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
- Refer to the Planning your study page to manage your progression
- You may wish to use electives to complete an additional major or minor
- Register your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)