Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Biomedical Science

5 Years On Campus Dual-bachelors Program

Murdoch University Australia

Program Overview

The Murdoch University Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Biomedical Science is a dual-degree program that combines professional legal education with advanced biomedical science training, preparing students for careers across healthcare law, biotechnology regulation, medical research policy, and legal practice. This program is ideal for students interested in the intersection of science, ethics, healthcare, and law while developing strong analytical, scientific, research, and advocacy skills across both disciplines.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students establish foundational knowledge in both biomedical science and legal studies through units such as Foundations of Law, Legal Research and Writing, and Introduction to the Cell. Students begin exploring human biology, scientific processes, and legal systems while developing academic communication, critical thinking, and laboratory skills essential for professional practice.

Year 2

The second year focuses on understanding human body systems and core legal principles through subjects including Human Physiology, Biochemistry, Criminal Law, and Contract Law. Students examine how scientific knowledge and legal frameworks interact within healthcare, ethics, and regulatory environments while strengthening practical research and analytical capabilities.

Year 3

In the third year, students deepen their expertise in biomedical and legal studies through units such as Genetics, Microbiology, Torts, and Constitutional Law. The curriculum develops understanding of disease mechanisms, molecular science, legal interpretation, and regulatory systems relevant to healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology industries.

Year 4

The fourth year introduces advanced and applied interdisciplinary learning through units including Immunology, Medical Microbiology, Evidence, and Administrative Law. Students strengthen their scientific investigation and legal advocacy skills while exploring contemporary issues related to medical ethics, healthcare governance, and biotechnology regulation.

Year 5

In the final year, students complete advanced legal and biomedical electives alongside research-focused learning and professional preparation activities. The degree emphasises independent research, legal problem-solving, scientific analysis, and ethical decision-making to prepare graduates for careers in legal practice, healthcare policy, biomedical industries, and postgraduate study.

Focus Areas

Biomedical science, healthcare law, genetics, microbiology, human physiology, biotechnology regulation, medical ethics, legal research, pathology, public health policy.

Learning Outcomes

Develop advanced knowledge of biomedical science and legal systems, analyse healthcare and scientific issues critically, apply ethical and legal frameworks to biomedical contexts, conduct scientific and legal research, communicate professionally across scientific and legal environments, and develop interdisciplinary problem-solving capabilities.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Bachelor of Laws component is accredited by the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia and satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, subject to practical legal training. The biomedical science component provides strong preparation for careers in healthcare, biotechnology, medical research, and science-related regulatory industries.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Murdoch University is recognised for its industry-focused education, research-informed teaching, and strong emphasis on practical learning across both health and legal disciplines. The university’s law and biomedical science programs support career-ready skill development through hands-on laboratory training, professional legal education, and interdisciplinary learning experiences.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Murdoch University Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Biomedical Science gain extensive interdisciplinary practical experience through biomedical laboratory training, legal practice simulations, scientific research projects, and applied healthcare-law learning. The program combines hands-on biomedical science education with professional legal training, allowing students to build skills in laboratory investigation, legal reasoning, healthcare ethics, scientific communication, and regulatory analysis within real-world professional contexts.

Throughout the degree, students work in advanced biomedical laboratories, legal learning environments, and collaborative research settings while engaging with contemporary issues in healthcare law, biotechnology, and medical ethics. Murdoch University’s research-driven teaching approach and strong industry engagement also provide students with exposure to scientific innovation, legal advocacy, and interdisciplinary professional practice:

Biomedical Science Laboratories: Students undertake practical laboratory training in microbiology, genetics, molecular biology, immunology, anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry using industry-standard scientific equipment.
Murdoch Law Moot Court Facilities: Law students participate in advocacy exercises, legal simulations, mooting competitions, and courtroom-based learning designed to strengthen legal communication and professional reasoning skills.
Scientific Research Projects: Students engage with evidence-based scientific investigations, laboratory reports, and biomedical research activities that develop analytical and problem-solving competencies.
Healthcare and Ethics Focus: The interdisciplinary structure of the degree allows students to explore healthcare regulation, biotechnology law, medical ethics, and public policy through integrated scientific and legal perspectives.
Collaborative Group Work: Students participate in teamwork-based case studies, legal problem-solving activities, laboratory investigations, and interdisciplinary presentations reflecting professional workplace environments.
Digital Research Platforms: The program incorporates scientific databases, biomedical literature systems, online legal research platforms, legislation databases, and digital academic resources used in professional legal and scientific practice.
Advanced Scientific Equipment: Practical learning includes exposure to biomedical instrumentation and laboratory technologies relevant to pathology, biotechnology, diagnostics, and medical research sectors.
Research Institutes and Scientific Environment: Students benefit from Murdoch University’s strong research culture and connections to biomedical, health, and scientific research initiatives.
Professional Legal Skills Development: The law component develops practical competencies in legal writing, advocacy, negotiation, legal research, and dispute analysis through applied learning activities.
Library and Specialist Resources: Students have access to extensive biomedical journals, legal databases, scientific publications, legislation resources, and academic support services through Murdoch University Library.
Industry-Relevant Learning Environment: The dual degree develops transferable professional skills applicable across healthcare law, biotechnology regulation, forensic science, public health policy, and scientific consulting industries.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Murdoch University Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Biomedical Science are uniquely positioned for interdisciplinary careers across healthcare law, biotechnology regulation, biomedical research policy, forensic science, and legal practice. This double degree prepares students for roles such as Health Lawyer, Biotechnology Policy Advisor, Regulatory Affairs Specialist, Medical Ethics Consultant, Forensic Science Advisor, or Legal Practitioner working within science and healthcare sectors:

Murdoch Careers and Employability Support: Students gain access to career counselling, resume and interview preparation, employer networking events, internships guidance, and personalised employability development services through Murdoch University’s Careers team.
Professional Legal Qualification Pathway: The Bachelor of Laws is accredited by the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia, enabling graduates to progress toward admission to legal practice after completing required practical legal training.
Biomedical Science Career Readiness: The science component develops strong laboratory, analytical, and research skills applicable to biotechnology, medical research, pathology, healthcare, and pharmaceutical industries.
Industry and Professional Engagement: Murdoch University’s connections with legal, healthcare, and scientific sectors support real-world learning experiences, professional exposure, and interdisciplinary career development opportunities.
Interdisciplinary Career Opportunities: Graduates are prepared for emerging fields such as health regulation, medical ethics, biotechnology law, clinical research governance, and public health policy development.
Research and Innovation Pathways: The biomedical science training supports scientific research careers and provides a foundation for involvement in medical and life sciences innovation.
Workplace-Ready Skill Development: Students develop transferable skills in legal reasoning, scientific analysis, critical thinking, communication, and evidence evaluation valued across multiple industries.
Graduate Employability Focus: Murdoch University emphasises practical learning, professional readiness, and industry engagement to support strong graduate employment outcomes across both legal and scientific fields.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates leave with dual expertise in law and biomedical science, enabling competitive career opportunities in both professional legal practice and science-based industries.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Biomedical Science, graduates may pursue Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for legal practice in Australia. They may also continue into postgraduate study such as Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Biotechnology, Master of Public Health, Master of Forensic Science, biomedical research degrees, or PhD-level study in health law, biomedical science, or interdisciplinary science-policy fields.