Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws
2024 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2024 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws |
| Deakin course code | D331 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Business and Law |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Online | No |
| Duration | 5 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2024 This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2024 Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| CRICOS course code | 015203K Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Fees and charges
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
Course overview
The commercialisation of rapidly evolving technologies has opened the door to a new kind of expert with specialist knowledge in both science and law. Study Deakin's Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws to graduate with an increasingly sought-after skill set to succeed in either field, or where science and law intersect.
This double degree gives you the freedom to learn more about what interests you. Get a taste for different disciplines within science before choosing to focus on an area you’re passionate about. The law stream of this combined course is accredited by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board and is supported by extensive practical training. You will even have the opportunity to work on real cases at the Deakin Law Clinic – invaluable preparation if you choose to undertake the additional work required to become a fully qualified lawyer.
Want the freedom to explore a range of lucrative and rewarding careers?
Tailor your degree to your unique career aspirations with our broad range of science specialisations and get more out of your studies by learning about the things that matter to you.
You will learn to solve tomorrow's global issues through science and discovery and build your foundational knowledge by studying a range of science-related study areas before focusing on one of eight majors:
- animal biology
- cell biology and genomics
- chemistry
- environmental science
- food science
- human biology
- mathematical modelling
- plant biology.
You will also gain practical experience beyond the classroom through programs in modern teaching laboratories, completing a Community Science Project and undertaking industry-based learning placements.
Our Bachelor of Laws is accredited by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) and covers all major areas of the law, including:
- contract
- torts
- property
- constitutional law
- criminal law and procedure
- administrative law.
Deakin Law School consistently ranks among the top in the country and the world for teaching quality and student satisfaction. Our teaching staff are leaders in their field and will prepare you for real issues currently faced by those in the legal sector.
Throughout your degree, you will develop practical legal skills including:
- negotiation
- problem solving
- preparing for court appearances
- legal drafting
- statutory interpretation.
In the Deakin Law Clinic, you will even get to work on real legal cases, interview real clients, offer advice where appropriate and, in some cases, attend courtroom proceedings.
Indicative student workload
As a student in the Faculty of Business and Law, you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Professional recognition
Deakin's Bachelor of Laws is designed to satisfy the academic qualifications necessary for admission to the legal profession. In Victoria these have been set by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB). In addition to satisfying the academic qualifications, a person seeking admission to the legal profession in Victoria is required to have satisfactorily completed certain practical legal training requirements and must be considered a fit and proper person to be admitted to the legal profession.
Requirements for admission in jurisdictions outside Australia vary. Please check the relevant jurisdiction’s legal admissions authority to confirm the required academic qualifications criteria, including any restrictions on online study or distance education.
The Bachelor of Science (Chemistry major) has been professionally accredited by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI). Graduates who have successfully completed the chemistry major as part of this course are encouraged to apply for membership of the respective local branch of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.
Career opportunities
As a graduate of the Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws, you will be uniquely placed to thrive in fields where science and law intersect. Depending on your area of specialisation, you could work in:
- biotechnology
- forensic science
- environmental science
- research science.
If you want to become a practising lawyer, a law degree is a significant first step towards entering the legal profession. Upon completion of your degree and the additional legal training, you will be qualified to work as a solicitor or barrister in all legal fields including:
- commercial law
- criminal law
- family law
- public international and human rights law
- refugee law
- personal injury law.
Participation requirements
Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
You may be required to complete units in Trimester 3 depending on your chosen major. Please refer to the Handbook for unit offering patterns.
Mandatory student checks
Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
Course Learning Outcomes
Please refer to the Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) of each of the single degrees.
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws, students must attain a total of 40 credit points consisting of 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Science and 24 credit points from the Bachelor of Laws, plus completion of the compulsory 0-credit point module, DAI001 Academic Integrity Module. Most units (think of units as 'subjects') are equal to 1 credit point. Course requirements for both the Bachelor of Science (S320) and the Bachelor of Laws (M312) must be satisfied. Most students choose to study 4 units per trimester, and usually undertake 2 trimesters each year.
Compulsory 0-credit point unit (to be completed in first trimester of study):-
- DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
The 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Science include:-
- 8#credit points of core units
- a 6 credit point approved science major sequence
- 2 credit points of Science elective units
- Level 3 - at least 4 credit points of Science units
- SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit point unit)
- STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0 credit point unit)
#Students undertaking D331 are not required to undertake SLE209 Science and Society - core unit in the single degree S320 Bachelor of Science.)
The 24 credit points from the Bachelor of Laws include:-
- 18 credit points of core units
- 1 credit point of WIL/practical/experiential course elective unit (as outlined in the Bachelor of Laws)
- completion of DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- 5 credit points of law elective units from a specified list
Course structure
Compulsory 0-credit point unit
To be completed in first trimester of study.
DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
Units
To assist you in following the course rules:
Please see course entry for Bachelor of Science (S320) and Bachelor of Laws (M312).
Other course information
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central