Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Science

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Notre Dame Sydney

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Science at The University of Notre Dame Australia combines professional legal education with scientific inquiry, allowing students to develop expertise across two highly complementary disciplines. Campus Location: Sydney Campus – Broadway, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. This degree is ideal for students interested in applying scientific knowledge to legal and regulatory challenges in areas such as environmental regulation, biotechnology, public health, intellectual property, and scientific research.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

Students establish a strong foundation in both law and science. Legal studies begin with subjects such as Legal Research and Writing, Legal Process and Statutory Interpretation, and Legal History, while science units introduce fundamental scientific principles and methodologies. This combination helps students develop analytical thinking, research skills, and scientific literacy from the beginning of the degree.

Year 2

The second year focuses on core legal doctrines alongside continued scientific study. Students examine areas such as Criminal Law A & B, Contract Law A & B, and Torts A & B, while advancing their knowledge through additional science courses. These subjects strengthen students’ understanding of legal obligations, liability, and scientific problem-solving.

Year 3

Students deepen their legal expertise through Property Law A & B while completing advanced science units within their chosen science stream. A key highlight is the Science Internship, where students gain practical industry experience and apply scientific knowledge in professional settings, developing valuable workplace and research skills.

Year 4

The focus shifts to advanced legal practice and governance. Subjects such as Advocacy, Constitutional Law, and Corporations & Partnerships help students develop courtroom, regulatory, and corporate law competencies. Additional units including Evidence, Administrative Law, and Trusts prepare students for complex legal analysis and professional practice.

Year 5

In the final year, students refine their professional expertise through Remedies, Civil Procedure, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Commercial Practice & Ethics. Elective options such as Environmental Law, Intellectual Property Law, Health Law, and Human Rights Law allow students to align their studies with specific scientific and legal interests while preparing for future career pathways.

Focus Areas:

Scientific research, biotechnology regulation, environmental law, intellectual property law, health law, public policy, scientific ethics, legal research, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance.

Learning Outcomes:

Develop advanced legal research and advocacy skills; apply scientific methods and data analysis; interpret and apply legal principles in scientific contexts; conduct independent investigations; communicate complex scientific and legal information effectively; demonstrate ethical and professional decision-making; collaborate across multidisciplinary environments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Bachelor of Laws component satisfies the academic requirements prescribed by the relevant legal admission authorities, including the Legal Profession Admission Board (NSW) and other Australian admitting bodies. The Science component includes a professional internship that provides practical industry experience and workplace readiness.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

The School of Law's curriculum has been developed with input from experienced legal academics, members of the judiciary, senior barristers, and solicitors. Notre Dame highlights strong graduate satisfaction and employment outcomes, supported by practical learning opportunities including legal clinics, internships, mentoring programs, and industry engagement.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Science at The University of Notre Dame Australia is designed to give students practical experience across both legal and scientific disciplines. Throughout the program, students develop professional skills through experiential legal training, advocacy exercises, scientific research activities, and industry-based learning opportunities. The degree combines classroom learning with hands-on experiences that help students apply scientific and legal knowledge to real-world challenges involving regulation, innovation, biotechnology, environmental issues, and public policy.

To ensure students graduate with workplace-ready skills, the program incorporates a range of practical learning experiences and facilities:

Science Internship (225 Hours): As part of the Bachelor of Science component, students complete a six-week industry internship (minimum 225 hours) with a government department, research organisation, or private company in Australia or internationally, gaining professional experience in research, data analysis, and applied science.
Mooting and Advocacy Training: Law students regularly participate in mooting exercises, advocacy activities, negotiation simulations, public speaking events, and dispute resolution exercises designed to replicate real legal practice.
Law in Context (Externship) Elective: Students may undertake the Law in Context externship, which incorporates workplace experience and professional legal exposure within the elective structure.
Legal Clinic Opportunities: The School of Law provides opportunities for students to engage with legal practice through legal clinic experiences and practical client-focused learning activities.
Mentoring Programs: Students can participate in mentoring initiatives that connect them with legal professionals and industry practitioners.
Courtroom Visits and Legal Observation: Law students gain insight into legal processes through courtroom visits and exposure to real-world legal proceedings.
Research and Data Analysis Training: The science component develops practical research capability through scientific investigations, data collection, interpretation, and analytical projects.
Collaborative Projects: Science courses involve investigation-based and research-focused activities where students work independently and collaboratively to solve scientific problems and communicate findings.
Library Resources: Students have access to extensive legal and scientific collections, digital databases, journals, research materials, and study spaces through the university library system.
Professional Development Events: Students are encouraged to attend the university's Eminent Speakers Series, which brings leading legal experts and industry professionals to campus to discuss contemporary issues and emerging developments.
Global Learning Opportunities: International study tours, exchange programs, professional placements, and global engagement experiences allow students to broaden their professional and cultural perspectives.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Science at The University of Notre Dame Australia develop a distinctive combination of legal expertise and scientific knowledge, enabling them to address complex challenges where law, technology, health, and scientific innovation intersect. This interdisciplinary qualification prepares graduates for careers that require both analytical legal thinking and evidence-based scientific understanding. Typical career paths include: Intellectual Property Lawyer, Environmental Lawyer, Regulatory Affairs Officer, and Science Policy Advisor.

Career Opportunities: This dual degree equips graduates with the versatility to work across legal practice, scientific industries, government agencies, research organisations, healthcare sectors, and regulatory bodies, creating strong long-term career prospects.

University Services: Notre Dame’s Career and Employability team provides career coaching, professional development workshops, networking opportunities, employer engagement programs, and practical guidance on internships and graduate recruitment pathways.
Employment Stats & Salary Figures: Graduates working across legal, scientific, and regulatory professions in Australia typically achieve median salary ranges of approximately AUD $80,000 – $145,000, with earning potential increasing through professional experience and specialised expertise.
University–Industry Partnerships: Students benefit from connections with legal practitioners, research organisations, healthcare providers, government departments, scientific institutions, and industry partners that support professional networking and practical learning opportunities.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: The law component provides the accredited academic qualification required for progression toward legal admission in Australia, while the science degree enhances expertise in technical, research, and evidence-based professional environments.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates leave with strong legal research skills, scientific literacy, critical thinking abilities, problem-solving expertise, and the capacity to evaluate complex legal and scientific issues from multiple perspectives.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates may undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. They can also continue their studies through a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Science, specialised postgraduate science qualifications, or higher research degrees such as a PhD, enabling advanced expertise in areas including environmental law, biotechnology regulation, health law, scientific research, and public policy.