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Deakin University

  • 21% international / 79% domestic

Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws

  • Bachelor

The commercialisation of rapidly evolving technologies has opened the door to a new kind of expert with specialist knowledge in both science and law.

Key details

Degree Type
Bachelor
Duration
5 years full-time
Course Code
D331, 015203K
ATAR
91.4

About this course

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.

Career pathways

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.

Course structure

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):-

  • Academic Integrity Module 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
  • 6 credit points of law elective units, including 1 credit point of WIL/practical unit.

16

Credit points from the Bachelor of Science

24

Credit points from the Bachelor of Laws

40

Total credit points

Credit for prior study or work

The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.

RPL will generally be granted for a Priestley 11 unit where a student completed the unit within 5 years of the date on which they will commence their Law degree at Deakin University. Whether RPL is granted for a Priestley unit that a student completed more than 5 years before that date will depend on an assessment of the particular unit, including whether its content remains current and it is substantially equivalent to the relevant unit in the Deakin Law course for which RPL is sought. It is possible that RPL may not be granted where the coverage of Priestley 11 knowledge areas across units of study is structured differently in the Law course at Deakin University compared to the Law course at the university where the student previously studied.

You can also refer to the Recognition of prior learning system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.