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 Communication and Thought
LAW101 Foundations of Australian Law A
LAW102 Foundations of Australian Law B
LAW103 Criminal Law and Procedure A
LAW104 Criminal Law and Procedure B
Advanced courses (20)
14 required courses:
LAW201 Torts A
LAW202 Torts B
LAW203 Contracts A
LAW204 Contracts B
LAW205 Property A
LAW206 Property B
LAW301 Constitutional Law
LAW302 Equity & Trusts
LAW303 Corporations Law
LAW304 Civil Procedure
LAW401 Administrative Law
LAW402 Professional Conduct
LAW403 Evidence
LAW404 Regulation
PLUS select 6 elective courses from:
LAW305 Family Law
LAW306 Employment Law
LAW307 Commercial Law
LAW309 Health Law
LAW310 Children & the Law
LAW311 Law Professional Practice
LAW316 Equal Opportunity Law
LAW318 Advocacy
LAW405 Alternative Dispute Resolution
LAW406 Planning and Environment Law
LAW407 Elder Law and Succession
LAW408 Intellectual Property
LAW410 Public International Law
LAW411 Private International Law
LAW412 International Human Rights Law
LAW414 Legal Internship
LAW415 Sports Law
LAW416 Transnational & Comparative Law
The following 2 elective courses are only available to students who have been accepted into Honours in Law:
LAW440 Honours Research Methods, Design and Confirmation
LAW441 Law Honours Thesis
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 Cell Biology
SCI102 Biodiversity and Ecology
SCI105 Chemistry
SCI110 Science Research Methods
SCI113 Discovering Science
PLUS select 1 course from:
MTH100 Introduction to Mathematics
MTH102 Mathematics Foundations
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)