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 biology, biotechnology, chemistry, ecology, food and biosecurity, mathematics.
- 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 biology, biotechnology, chemistry, ecology, food and biosecurity, mathematics.
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 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
Law courses
Introductory courses (5) 60 units
COR109 Advanced Methods in Psychology
LAW101 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
LAW102 Personality and Assessment
LAW103 Psychology of Health and Wellbeing
LAW104 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
Developing and Graduate courses (20) 240 units
14 required courses (168 units):
LAW201 Human Associative Learning
LAW202 Abnormal Psychology
LAW203 Adult Development and Ageing
LAW204 Communication and Thought
LAW205 Professional Experience: Orientation to the Profession
LAW206 Cell Biology
LAW301 Introduction to Mathematics
LAW302 Human Physiology
LAW303 Biodiversity and Ecology
LAW304 Chemistry
LAW401 Science Research Methods
LAW402 Plant Diversity and Ecology
LAW403 Microbiology
LAW404 Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
PLUS select 6 elective courses (72 units) from:
LAW307 Communication and Thought
LAW310 Communication and Thought
LAW311 Grammars of Design
LAW312 Introduction to Design and Concept
LAW313 Visual Identity
LAW315 Visual Communication & Meaning
LAW318 Branding and Package Design
LAW405 Art of Illustration and Design
LAW406 Design Portfolio
LAW407 Industry Project 1: Communication, Creativity and Design
LAW408 Industry Internship 1: Communication, Creativity and Design
LAW409 Introduction to Design and Concept
LAW410 Visual Identity
LAW411 Visual Communication & Meaning
LAW412 Branding and Package Design
LAW414 Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
LAW415 Environmental Impact Assessment
LAW416 Environmental Health Risk Management
LAW417 Integrated Environmental Management
LAW418 Simulation in Practice Education
LAW419 Community and Primary Health Care
LAW420 Co-ordinating Care in Community and Primary Care Contexts
The following 2 elective courses (24 units) are only available to students who have been accepted into Honours in Law:
LAW440 Infant Care
LAW441 Leadership in Clinical Practice
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.
Science courses
Introductory courses (6) 72 units
LFS100 Responding in the Emergency Context
SCI102 Coordinating Complex Emergency Situations
SCI105 Global Emergency Issues
SCI110 Learning and Teaching in the Practice Environment
SCI113 Professional Internship
PLUS select 1 course (12 units) from:
MTH100 Independent Study Δ
MTH103 Mental Health Contexts of CareΔ
MTH104 Research in Health CareΔ
Major courses (8) 96 units
Elective course (1) 12 units
Select 1 elective course (12 units) from the School of Education, School of Health and Sport Sciences, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine or School of Science and Engineering.
Δ Refer to Program Notes
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)
- (Sippy Downs) Semester 2 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 (180 units) in total, including the core course
- For students wishing to complete Honours in Law, they must complete a minimum of 2 Law elective courses (24 units) at a 400 coded level
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- MTH103 and MTH104 assumes you have successfully completed a Years 11-12 mathematics subject (or equivalent) and preferably at least Mathematics B. Should you wish to proceed to 200 or 300 coded mathematics courses, you would first need to successfully complete MTH103 and MTH104 to meet prerequisite requirements. MTH100 does not meet the prerequisite necessary to enrol in developing and graduate level mathematics 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 Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
- Δ MTH100 not being offered in 2019