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 Introduction to Sustainable Energy Systems
LAW101 Biochemistry
LAW102 Introduction to Mathematics
LAW103 Mathematics Foundations
LAW104 Communication and Thought
Advanced courses (20)
14 required courses:
LAW201 Environment and Health
LAW202 Biodiversity and Ecology
LAW203 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
LAW204 Cell Biology
LAW205 Chemistry
LAW206 Science Research Methods
LAW301 Communicating Sustainability
LAW302 Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
LAW303 Environmental Health Risk Management
LAW304 Regions, Change and Sustainability
LAW401 Tourism and Leisure Policy and Planning
LAW402 Sustainable Tourism, Leisure and Event Management
LAW403 Foundations of Sustainability
LAW404 Measuring Sustainability
PLUS select 6 elective courses from:
LAW305 Introduction to Mathematics
LAW306 Mathematics Foundations
LAW307 Communication and Thought
LAW309 Human Physiology
LAW310 Biodiversity and Ecology
LAW311 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
LAW316 Cell Biology
LAW318 Chemistry
LAW405 Science Research Methods
LAW406 Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
LAW407 Coastal and Marine Ecology
LAW408 Genetics
LAW410 Invertebrate Biology and Ecology
LAW411 Animal Habitats
LAW412 Microbiology
LAW414 Introduction to Mathematics
LAW415 Mathematics Foundations
LAW416 Communication and Thought
The following 2 elective courses are only available to students who have been accepted into Honours in Law:
LAW440 Human Physiology
LAW441 Chemistry
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 Haematology
SCI102 Cell Biology
SCI105 Foundations in Medical Science
SCI110 Advanced Haematology
SCI113 Histology
PLUS select 1 course from:
MTH100 Medical Laboratory Placement 1
MTH102 Blood Banking
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)