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
USC Law School courses
Introductory courses (5) 60 units
COR109 Coastal and Marine Ecology
LAW101 Marine Science Education Fieldwork
LAW102 Coastal Geomorphology
LAW103 Health Promotion Needs Assessment and Planning
LAW104 Health Promotion Principles
Developing and Graduate courses (20) 240 units
14 required courses (168 units):
LAW201 Public Health Foundations
LAW202 Health Promotion Implementation and Evaluation
LAW203 Health Promotion Principles
LAW204 Public Health Foundations
LAW205 Health Promotion Needs Assessment and Planning
LAW206 Health Promotion Implementation and Evaluation
LAW301 Communication and Thought
LAW302 Foundations of Australian Law A
LAW303 Foundations of Australian Law B
LAW304 Criminal Law and Procedure A
LAW401 Criminal Law and Procedure B
LAW402 Torts A
LAW403 Torts B
LAW404 Contracts A
PLUS select 6 elective courses (72 units) from:
LAW307 Contracts B
LAW310 Property A
LAW311 Property B
LAW312 Constitutional Law
LAW313 Equity & Trusts
LAW315 Corporations Law
LAW318 Civil Procedure
LAW405 Administrative Law
LAW406 Professional Conduct
LAW407 Evidence
LAW408 Regulation
LAW409 Commercial Law
LAW410 Children & the Law
LAW411 Law Professional Practice
LAW412 Competition and Consumer Law
LAW414 Building & Construction Law
LAW415 Indigenous Legal Issues
LAW416 Advocacy
LAW417 Legal Dispute Resolution
LAW418 Planning and Environment Law
LAW419 Elder Law and Succession
LAW420 Intellectual Property
The following 2 elective courses (24 units) are only available to students who have been accepted into Honours in Law:
LAW440 Taxation
LAW441 Public International Law
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) 72 units
LFS100 Private International Law
SCI102 International Human Rights Law
SCI105 Legal Internship
SCI110 Sports Law
SCI113 International Commercial Disputes
PLUS select 1 course (12 units) from:
MTH100 Employment Law Δ
MTH103 Health LawΔ
MTH104 Family LawΔ
Major courses (8) 96 units
Elective course (1) 12 units
Select 1 elective course (12 units) from the Faculty of Science, Health, Education 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
- You must select and register your compulsory major(s)/minor(s) as soon as possible
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.
- Apply for your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)
- Δ MTH100 not being offered in 2019