Bachelor of Science - Bachelor of Laws

Give your scientific research the power to influence policy and legislation through an in-depth knowledge of the legal system. Whether you’re passionate about environmental conservation and sustainability or advocacy and human rights, JCU’s Bachelor of Science – Bachelor of Laws degree will equip you to make a difference to the people, communities and environments of the Tropics.

Learn the fundamentals of law and science, then select from a wide range of majors to build knowledge and skills in your chosen area of interest.

In your science degree, study under the guidance of JCU’s leading science experts. Benefit from opportunities to undertake real-world research in World Heritage listed reef and rainforest environments.

In your law degree, take advantage of JCU's community links and strong support from the legal profession, which contribute to providing an authentic learning environment. This course is accredited by the Legal Practitioners Board and approved for admission to practise law in Queensland.

At the end of this five-year joint degree you will have a comprehensive understanding of the role of law in social, economic, environmental and political contexts. Students will appreciate the complexity of legal matters in the context of scientific situations like environmental law and bioethics.

About JCU's Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Laws in Queensland

Prepare yourself for a successful career with a degree that broadens your understanding of the scientific world as well as the legal field. Your Bachelor of Science-Bachelor of Laws (similar to a Bachelor of Science and Laws) from JCU will give you the legal skills and scientific background you need to work in anything from bioethics to conservation or even national security.

A Strong Scientific Foundation

Work alongside leading scientific experts at JCU. Your world-class education begins here, with the opportunity to work in cutting-edge research labs and at JCU research stations on the Great Barrier Reef and in World Heritage listed tropical rainforests. Be a part of research that makes a difference as you strengthen your understanding of climate change, conservation, bioethics, scientific sensors, and natural systems.

Choose a science major that compliments your goals. Choose from Aquaculture Science and Technology, Chemistry, Data Science, Earth Science, Mathematics, Zoology and Ecology, Molecular and Cell Biology or Marine Biology. Broaden your understanding of these specific fields with extensive first-hand field experience and elective courses that match your skills and interests.

A Strong Legal Foundation

Learn about the fundamental legal principles that underpin our society and the relationship of law to scientific advancement and societal ethics. Understand how science and the law intersect and the frameworks that inform scientific research and development.

Work alongside lecturers committed to student success to build your understanding of the legal institutions of our society and their processes. Grasp how contract law affects development and how property and criminal law can be used to advance human rights and justice.

Build the career path that is right for you – throughout your Bachelor of Science-Bachelor of Laws in Queensland, choose subjects built around themes of sustainability, governance, or social justice. Become a voice for sustainable development through your understanding of environmental law. Stand up for the world's marginalised people with your grasp of health and human rights laws. Make a difference in public policies through your studies in corporate and international law.

Study a Bachelor of Science and Laws and Be Ready Today for Tomorrow

Graduate ready to work with a science and laws bachelor and the knowledge and skills relevant for a contemporary modern world. Be eligible to work as a solicitor with a degree accredited by the Legal Practitioners Admissions Board, or go on to take the Bar Exams and practice as a barrister.

Work towards societal advancements as an adviser or researcher at technology firms. Help communities achieve sustainable growth and development as an intellectual property or environmental lawyer. Work as an in-house counsel for corporations, or advise governments on climate change legislation and copyright law.

Become part of positive change by working as an advocate for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Protect the nation working in national security or in public scientific development. Make a meaningful difference to your community, nationally or internationally through your science and laws bachelor studies in Queensland.

Prepare Yourself With a Bachelor of Science-Bachelor of Laws Degree

Become the person employers want to hire, with training and understanding that crosses disciplines. Explain complicated legal issues and translate complex scientific concepts for professionals. Develop your agile mindset and your robust communication skills to become a leader who brings meaningful change.
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View the handbook for a detailed overview of core subjects and available options.

Majors

The Bachelor of Laws degree has a wide variety of subjects that you’ll choose to comprise your studies. The Bachelor of Science degree has eight majors for you to choose from.

Aquaculture Science and Technology

Discover the sustainable practices of aquaculture with lecturers who are world-leaders in tropical aquaculture research and development. Access to the JCU Marine and Aquaculture Research Facility will enhance your knowledge and provide current practical skills.

Throughout this major, you will explore the scientific and practical applications of breeding, rearing, and harvesting of plants and animals in all types of water environments. You will understand the biodiversity of species and how they are farmed, the design of aquaculture systems and the basics of nutrition.

With a focus on tropical species, our researchers’ strong links to industry will give you a sound professional network when you graduate. Career opportunities include jobs in hatcheries, stock nutrition programs and management, fresh water and marine farming, or aquaculture research.

Chemistry

Study in award-winning laboratories and experience excursions to local companies in the chemical industry. You will benefit from small class sizes and the personalised approach of our lecturers.

Gain current, industry-relevant skills and explore the many areas of chemistry including analytical chemistry, synthetic, organic and inorganic chemistry, and kinetics and mechanisms of chemical reactions. In your third year, you will learn a number of instrumental techniques widely used in the industry.

Accredited by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI), this chemistry major will open up career opportunities both nationally and internationally. Working across a number of industries, you could work as an analytical chemist, research chemist, clinical diagnostician, forensic scientist or environmental scientist.

Please note mid-year entry is not available for the Chemistry major.

Data Science

Data and analytics capabilities have accelerated in recent years. The volume of available data has grown exponentially, more sophisticated algorithms have been developed and computational power and storage have steadily improved.

Data scientists work in every industry – from defence departments to internet start-ups and financial institutions – and tackle big data projects on every level. Skills in data science, big data and analytics are among the most sought-after jobs in the tech world today.

The Data Science major packages existing data science subjects together with new subjects on Data Visualisation, Big Data and Machine Learning.

Earth Science

Study earth science and access the biodiverse region of North Queensland. Gain relevant practical skills by studying and assessing the surrounding environments, including the Wet and Dry Tropics and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Experience field trips where you will collect, analyse and interpret data. You will gain a thorough understanding of human impact on the natural environment and learn how to develop solutions to lessen the impact. With access to the JCU Fletcherview Research Station, you will learn about resource and environmental impact assessment, mine site rehabilitation and soil and water science.

An understanding of how to develop cost-effective and innovative techniques for environmental management will lead to job opportunities exist in many sectors. You can work as a consultant, in government or industry. You could pursue a career as a geologist, geographer, hydrologist, soil scientist, climatologist, environmental scientist or oceanographer.

Marine Biology

Learn from lecturers who are world-leaders and be equipped to address critical challenges facing marine and coastal ecosystems. You will study in a location that gives you access to one of the most diverse and fragile marine ecosystems in the world, the Great Barrier Reef.

By studying the surrounding habitats of the Great Barrier Reef, you will discover the impact that humans have on the marine environment and how the oceans and atmosphere interact. You will gain valuable employability skills through practical experiments and opportunities to visit the JCU Orpheus Island Research Station.

Benefit from our researchers’ strong links with industry including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), TropWater and CSIRO Townsville. As a marine biologist, you could work in conservation biology and policy, environmental and resource management, fisheries biology, ecosystem restoration and marine impact assessments.

Mathematics

Develop the problem-solving, analytical and quantitative reasoning skills that are highly sought-after by employers worldwide. With small class sizes, you will receive the one-on-one support required to excel as a mathematician.

Understand advanced mathematical techniques, data analysis and multivariate statistical methods. You will learn how to formulate mathematical models to illustrate science and engineering problems and use various techniques to help find solutions.

To enhance your employability skills, you have the flexibility to combine this major with another science major. As a mathematician, you can work in many sectors such as information technology, animation, business and finance, astronomy and space exploration, climate study or meteorology, cryptography and applied research.

Molecular and Cell Biology

Learn how to amplify and edit DNA sequences and conduct laboratory-based and field-based projects. Throughout your degree, you will study the basis of health and disease at a molecular level and analyse the functions of a whole cell.

Benefit from hands-on experience using cutting-edge equipment and techniques. Study biochemistry, microbiology, biotechnology and bioinformatics and gain an in-depth understanding of molecular genetics. These structures and processes form the basis of all living matter and provide insights into complex biological interactions.

Develop the foundations needed to work towards developments in modern medicine and biotechnology. You will have the knowledge to work across a breadth of industries — job opportunities include working in research laboratories, hospital and diagnostic departments, and biotech or pharmaceutical companies.

Zoology and Ecology

Learn from lecturers with global standing, study amazing rainforests and diverse species and go on field trips to Borneo or the Galapagos Islands. Offered at both our Townsville, Bebegu Yumba and Cairns, Nguma-bada campuses, you will study in one of the most biodiverse regions in Australia.

Study the biology of plants and animals and their natural habitats. Discover many of the environmental threats to the Tropics by studying the effects of deforestation, infrastructure expansion, habitat fragmentation, over-hunting, and invasive species.

You will access the various environments of the Wet Tropics and our Daintree Rainforest Observatory to learn about biosecurity, behavioural ecology, conservation biology and ecological modelling. You could find work as a wildlife or environmental consultant, zoologist or ecologist for a conservation, quarantine, or biosecurity organisation.

Refer to the handbook for a detailed overview of each major and minor available.