Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Science(chemistry)

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Swinburne University of Technology

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) at Swinburne gives you a unique combination of legal knowledge and scientific expertise. It’s perfect for students who are curious about how law interacts with science — for example, in environmental regulation, intellectual property, or health policy — and want the skills to make an impact in both fields.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Your first year sets the foundation in both law and science. You’ll explore units like Introduction to Legal Studies and Foundations of Law to understand the basics of legal systems, while chemistry units such as Concepts of Chemistry and Concepts of Biology introduce you to molecular structures, reactions, and biological processes.

Year 2:
In the second year, your studies become more applied. Law units such as Criminal Law and Constitutional Law help you develop analytical and reasoning skills, while chemistry units like Analytical and Forensic Chemistry give you hands-on lab experience and training in scientific investigation.

Year 3:
Your third year deepens your expertise. Advanced law units like Evidence and Procedure and Property Law challenge your legal reasoning, and chemistry units like Molecular Chemistry push your lab and problem-solving skills further. This year sharpens your ability to handle complex, real-world challenges in both fields.

Year 4:
In year four, you see how law and science intersect. You’ll take units such as Administrative Law or Commercial Law, alongside Environmental Chemistry and Spectroscopy and Instrumentation, learning how to apply legal principles to scientific contexts while gaining practical lab experience.

Year 5:
Your final year brings everything together. Capstone law units like Legal Professional Practice prepare you for legal work, while advanced chemistry units like Biochemical Analysis refine your laboratory and analytical expertise. By the end, you’ll have a strong combination of legal insight and scientific skills ready for diverse career paths.

Focus Areas

Legal reasoning, regulatory frameworks, chemical analysis, forensic and environmental chemistry, and the intersection of law and science.

Learning Outcomes

You’ll graduate able to think critically, solve problems, conduct scientific investigations, interpret data, and apply legal reasoning — giving you versatility across professional, research, and policy-focused roles.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Law component prepares you for legal practice in Australia, while the Chemistry component aligns with the standards of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI), ensuring your scientific skills are professionally recognised.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Swinburne is recognised for strong graduate employability and leadership in science and professional disciplines, meaning your unique combination of law and chemistry skills is highly valued by employers.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

In the Laws / Chemistry double degree at Swinburne, learning goes far beyond lectures and textbooks. You’ll gain real-world skills through hands-on lab work, simulated court experiences, advocacy exercises, and industry-linked projects. From the start, you’ll have access to professional-grade labs, collaborative workspaces, and digital research tools — all designed to give you the confidence and practical skills employers are looking for:

Here’s how your hands-on experience will be structured:

Professional placements and internships: Through Swinburne’s Work Integrated Learning, you’ll complete placements with legal and scientific organisations, gaining firsthand insight into professional practice before you graduate.
Industry-linked science projects: You’ll take on projects that let you apply chemistry concepts to real challenges, enhancing both your lab skills and problem-solving abilities.
Modern laboratories: Swinburne’s Chemistry and Biotechnology Labs give you access to the same equipment and techniques used in professional research, from molecular biology to analytical chemistry.
Team-based projects and presentations: Many units include collaborative research tasks, helping you develop communication, teamwork, and project management skills that are vital in both law and science careers.
Library and digital resources: You’ll have access to extensive scientific journals, legal databases, and online research tools to support both your lab work and legal research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from the Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) at Swinburne gives you the unique advantage of combining legal insight with scientific expertise. This means you can pursue careers that need both sets of skills, such as lawyer, legal counsel in science or patents, forensic scientist, or sustainability analyst. With the degree’s practical focus and Work Integrated Learning opportunities, you’ll enter the workforce with confidence and real-world experience.

Career support services: Swinburne’s Careers & Employability team provides personalised guidance on resumes, interviews, and career planning. The SwinEmploy platform connects you to jobs, internships, and career expos that match your skills and interests.
Strong graduate outcomes: Swinburne graduates enjoy high employment rates and competitive salaries, with a median starting salary of around A$77,900, reflecting the real-world value of the skills you gain.
Work Integrated Learning & industry connections: You’ll take part in placements and projects in both legal and scientific contexts, giving you hands-on experience, professional connections, and a head start in your career.
Long-term professional value: Employers and postgraduate programs recognise this double degree as evidence of your ability to think critically, solve complex problems, and work across disciplines.
Graduate possibilities: This degree opens doors in law, science, research, environmental policy, and intellectual property — giving you flexibility to follow your passions.

Further Academic Progression:
After graduation, you could continue your studies to specialise even further. Options include a Master of Laws for areas like intellectual property or environmental law, or a Master of Biomedical Science, Master of Research, or PhD on the science side. These pathways prepare you for advanced research, academic careers, or leadership roles in industry and policy.