Bachelors of Laws and Biomedical Science

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Monash University

Program Overview

The Bachelors of Laws and Biomedical Science at Monash University is a unique five-year double degree that combines legal expertise with advanced biomedical science knowledge, preparing students for careers at the intersection of healthcare, science, ethics, and law. This program is ideal for students interested in medical law, biotechnology regulation, healthcare policy, scientific research, and legal issues surrounding emerging biomedical technologies.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students build foundational knowledge in both law and biomedical science while developing analytical and scientific thinking skills. You’ll study core law units such as Foundations of law and Criminal law and procedure, alongside biomedical science subjects including BMS1011 Medical biochemistry and BMS1021 Cells, tissues and organisms, introducing human biology, legal systems, and scientific inquiry.

Year 2

Second year deepens students’ understanding of human biology and legal frameworks through more specialised coursework. Biomedical science units such as BMS2011 Human anatomy and BMS2021 Human molecular biology are combined with legal studies including Torts and Constitutional law, helping students explore how legal systems interact with medicine, healthcare, and scientific advancement.

Year 3

During third year, students begin integrating biomedical knowledge with complex legal and ethical issues affecting healthcare and biotechnology industries. Subjects may include physiology, genetics, and pharmacology alongside law units such as Administrative law and Contracts, strengthening students’ ability to analyse scientific evidence, regulatory systems, and legal responsibilities within medical contexts.

Year 4

The fourth year focuses on advanced legal training and specialised biomedical science studies. Students continue developing expertise in areas such as medical research, healthcare ethics, biotechnology innovation, and legal advocacy through upper-level law electives and biomedical science disciplines linked to human disease, laboratory science, and healthcare systems.

Year 5

In the final year, students complete advanced law electives, professional legal studies, and biomedical science specialisations while preparing for professional practice or postgraduate pathways. The program equips graduates with interdisciplinary expertise suited for careers in legal practice, healthcare regulation, biomedical policy, research governance, and pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries.

Focus Areas

Medical law, healthcare regulation, biomedical ethics, molecular biology, anatomy, genetics, biotechnology policy, human physiology, legal analysis, healthcare governance, biomedical research, scientific communication

Learning Outcomes

Legal reasoning and advocacy, biomedical research literacy, ethical decision-making, scientific analysis, healthcare policy understanding, regulatory interpretation, interdisciplinary problem-solving, communication skills, critical thinking, professional legal and scientific competency

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Bachelor of Laws component satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia when followed by practical legal training. The biomedical science component provides strong preparation for careers in healthcare, biotechnology, medical research, pharmaceuticals, and health policy sectors.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Monash University is internationally recognised for excellence in Law, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, and Life Sciences, consistently ranking among the world’s leading universities in QS World University Rankings. Monash graduates benefit from strong employer recognition, industry engagement opportunities, and global career pathways across legal, healthcare, and biomedical sectors.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelors of Laws and Biomedical Science at Monash University provides students with a highly practical learning environment that combines legal training with biomedical scientific investigation. Students develop real-world skills through laboratory-based biomedical classes, legal problem-solving exercises, mooting activities, research projects, and access to internationally recognised medical and legal research facilities.

Throughout the degree, students gain hands-on experience using scientific laboratory technologies, digital legal research platforms, and collaborative learning spaces designed for interdisciplinary study. The program encourages students to explore complex healthcare and legal challenges while working in advanced biomedical laboratories and engaging with Monash’s legal clinics, research institutes, and innovation-focused academic environment:

Biomedical Science Laboratories: Students undertake extensive practical laboratory sessions in anatomy, molecular biology, microbiology, genetics, physiology, and biochemistry using professional biomedical research equipment and scientific testing technologies.
Monash Law Clinics: Law students can participate in practical legal learning opportunities through Monash Law Clinics, where students work on real legal matters under professional supervision and develop client communication, advocacy, and legal research skills.
Moot Court Facilities: Students gain courtroom and advocacy experience through dedicated moot courtrooms used for legal simulations, case presentations, negotiation exercises, and legal argument practice.
Monash Biomedical Imaging Facility: Students benefit from exposure to advanced biomedical imaging technologies and medical research infrastructure supporting neuroscience, diagnostics, and clinical research applications.
Monash Institute of Medical Engineering (MIME): The program connects students with interdisciplinary medical research and healthcare innovation initiatives involving clinicians, scientists, engineers, and researchers developing new medical technologies.
Legal Research Databases and Digital Tools: Students use professional legal research systems and academic databases to analyse legislation, legal cases, healthcare regulations, and biomedical ethics issues.
Biomedical Research Facilities: Students access research laboratories supporting biotechnology, molecular medicine, pharmacology, infection and immunity studies, and translational medical research.
Collaborative Group Projects: The program includes teamwork-based scientific investigations, legal case studies, and interdisciplinary assignments focused on healthcare policy, medical ethics, and biotechnology regulation.
Monash Library Services: Students have access to extensive law and biomedical science collections, medical journals, legal databases, collaborative study areas, and specialised academic research support services.
Research and Ethics Exposure: Students explore real-world ethical and regulatory challenges in medicine, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare governance through research-informed teaching and case-based learning.
Industry and Professional Engagement: Students may attend legal industry presentations, healthcare seminars, biomedical research workshops, and networking events connecting them with professionals across law, healthcare, and science sectors.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelors of Laws and Biomedical Science at Monash University develop a rare combination of legal expertise and biomedical science knowledge, making them highly valuable across healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical regulation, and legal sectors. The degree prepares students for careers where scientific innovation and legal systems intersect, with graduates commonly working as Medical Lawyers, Healthcare Policy Advisors, Regulatory Affairs Specialists, Clinical Research Consultants, Biotechnology Compliance Officers, or Legal Practitioners specialising in health and medical law:

Career Connect Support: Students receive personalised employability support through Monash Career Connect, including resume development, interview coaching, networking programs, employer events, internship guidance, and graduate recruitment preparation specifically tailored to law and science students.
Professional Legal Qualification Pathway: The Bachelor of Laws component satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia when followed by Practical Legal Training (PLT), providing long-term professional recognition and career flexibility.
Interdisciplinary Career Advantage: Graduates stand out in emerging fields such as biotechnology regulation, healthcare governance, medical ethics, pharmaceutical compliance, intellectual property law, and clinical research regulation due to their dual-discipline expertise.
Industry and Healthcare Connections: Monash collaborates with healthcare providers, research institutes, legal organisations, and biomedical innovation partners, giving students exposure to real-world legal and scientific challenges throughout the program.
Monash Law Clinics and Professional Experience: Students benefit from practical legal training opportunities through Monash Law Clinics, helping them develop client communication, legal advocacy, and professional workplace skills before graduation.
Biomedical Research and Innovation Networks: Students can engage with leading Monash biomedical and medical research institutes, including the Monash Institute of Medical Engineering (MIME) and other health research centres connected to hospitals, clinicians, and healthcare innovators.
Global University Reputation: Monash University consistently ranks among the world’s leading universities for Law, Life Sciences, Medicine, and Biomedical Sciences in QS World University Rankings, strengthening graduate employability both in Australia and internationally.
Strong Graduate Outcomes: The combination of law and biomedical science creates pathways into government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, healthcare organisations, research institutions, regulatory authorities, and international legal or scientific organisations.
Transferable Professional Skills: Graduates leave the program with advanced analytical thinking, legal reasoning, scientific literacy, research capability, communication skills, and ethical decision-making abilities valued across multiple industries.
Graduate Salary Potential: Law and biomedical science graduates in Australia can access competitive graduate salaries, particularly in legal practice, healthcare regulation, biotechnology industries, pharmaceuticals, and corporate advisory roles.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this double degree, graduates may continue into Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify as practising lawyers or pursue postgraduate study such as a Juris Doctor, Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Bioethics, Master of Public Health, Master of Biotechnology, or specialised biomedical science research degrees. Students interested in academic or scientific research careers may also progress into Honours and PhD pathways in biomedical sciences, medical law, healthcare policy, biotechnology regulation, or public health research.