Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Computer Science

Overview

The Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Computer Science provides you with an accredited qualification in law while you develop expertise in software development and computer science.

You’ll develop a well-rounded legal understanding of the role law plays in our society and how it can assist Australia as a trading nation. You’ll also learn how human factors are involved in the development, deployment and use of computer-based systems.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Laws, graduates should be able to:

• apply the principles and doctrines that underpin the fundamental areas of Australian law and the Australian legal system
• build on and continuously develop ethical and professional responsibility in the practice of law and a commitment to the pursuit of justice
• analyse and evaluate the interdisciplinary contexts in which legal issues arise and the disciplines and policy considerations that influence the content and operation of the law
• interpret issues affecting the legal status and experiences of Indigenous peoples in Australia and apply legal doctrine and other approaches to solve problems in preparation for professional practice acknowledging the culture, traditions and beliefs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and other communities.
• critically evaluate events or factual situations, identify the legal issues to which they give rise and develop and articulate appropriate and creative responses
• undertake and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to make judgements to solve complex legal problems with intellectual independence
• effectively communicate persuasive legal arguments to legal and non-legal audiences
• function as an effective member or leader of a team and critically reflect on individual performance and professional development

Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Computer Science, graduates will be able to:

• apply a broad and coherent knowledge of computer science in diverse contexts and domains, using critical thinking and judgment, while integrating and respecting Indigenous perspectives and knowledge systems
• apply appropriate methods and contemporary tools to the scoping, analysis, design, construction, verification and operation of software systems
• communicate proficiently to a variety of audiences, function as an effective member or leader of a team, and use the basic tools and practices of project management within project work
• develop professionalism, integrity, ethical conduct, professional accountability and an awareness of professional practice in a global context
• apply problem analysis and decision-making methodologies to identify, design and implement solutions to industry relevant problems with intellectual independence
• reflect on personal performance, learning, and self-management processes as a means of continued professional development and lifelong learning.

Course rules

To qualify for the Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Computer Science, students must complete 500 credit points comprising:

• Twenty (20) Core Law units (250 credit points)
• Four (4) Law Elective units (50 credit points)
• Three (3) Professional Experience units in law (0 credit points) * (450 Professional Experience hours)
• Eight (8) core Computer Science units of study (100 credit points)
• Eight [8] units of study from one Computer Science Major (100 credit points)

Students complete no more than 200 credit points (16 units) at Introductory Level (i.e. Stage 1 - eg: LAW1XXXX). A unit of study can only be counted once. Where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternative unit.

Domestic students also have an opportunity to undertake a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Professional Placement.

Note: If a student selects the Information and Communication Technology Professional Placement units, the Professional Experience in Law units are still required. However, if a student selects the Law Professional Placement units, the Professional Experience in Law units are waived.

Career opportunities

Bachelor of Laws graduates will have the theoretical and practical knowledge required to operate effectively in diverse settings such as law firms and barristers’ chambers, not-for-profit organisations, government, small businesses and corporate organisations. In particular, the specialisation in intellectual property law equips graduates for careers in the new knowledge economy, giving them the skills to work in media and entertainment, design, branding and advertising, and in internet companies and firms advising information-dependent industries.

Bachelor of Computer Science graduates typically find employment in organisations engaged in medium- to large-scale software development. Initially, graduates are usually employed in technical areas such as programming and systems analysis and design, internet systems development. They are well-prepared for progression into project leadership and management positions as their experience develops.

Professional placements

Students who undertake a 12-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 600 credit points comprising:

• Twenty (20) Core Law units (250 credit points)
• Four (4) Law Elective units (50 credit points)
• Three (3) Professional Experience units in law (0 credit points) * (450 Professional Experience hours)
• Eight (8) core Computer Science units of study (100 credit points)
• Eight [8] units of study from one Computer Science Major (100 credit points)
• Four (4) Professional Placement units (100 credit points)

Students who elect to undertake a 6-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 550 credit points comprising:

• Twenty (20) Core Law units (250 credit points)
• Four (4) Law Elective units (50 credit points)
• Three (3) Professional Experience units in law (0 credit points) * (450 Professional Experience hours)
• Eight (8) core Computer Science units of study (100 credit points)
• Eight [8] units of study from one Computer Science Major (100 credit points)
• Two (2) Professional Placement units (50 credit points)

Volume of Learning

The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Computer Science consists of 500 credit points. Units normally carry 12.5 credit points (cps). A standard annual full-time load comprises 100 credit points and a standard annual part-time load 50 credit points.

The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Computer Science is typically 5 years. This course requires students to complete 450 hours Professional Experience.

For students who complete a Professional Placement the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Computer Science consists of 550 – 600 credit points. Units normally carry 12.5 credit points with placement units carrying 25 credit points each. A standard annual full-time student load comprises 100 credit points, and a standard part-time load comprises 50 credit points.

The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Computer Science with a 6-month placement is typically 5.5 years.

The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Computer Science with a 12 month placement is typically 6 years

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Laws satisfies the academic requirements for admission to practice as a lawyer in the Victorian and Australian Federal legal systems as set by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board. 

Please be advised that non-academic requirements must also be satisfied for admission to practice and that no law degree allows graduates to practise straight away. 

All laws graduates must also complete Practical Legal Training (PLT) prior to applying for admission to practice as a lawyer. Swinburne offers the opportunity to complete this PLT at the same time as completing your Bachelor of Laws via the Leo Cussen Centre for Law Swinburne Program. 

The Bachelor of Computer Science   is accredited by the Australian Computer Society (ACS) at the professional level

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Computer Science is 250 credit points (normally 20 units), 150 credit points maximum from Law discipline and 100 credit points from Computer Science discipline.

B. Applicants with higher education study

Educational history 

An applicant's entire academic history, including results from previous higher education study will be considered for entry into this course. If previous higher education qualifications are incomplete, results must have been obtained in the last seven years. 

Meeting course prerequisites 

As for Year 12 or equivalent. 

Bridging courses 

Applicants who do not meet the mathematics prerequisites for this course will be required to successfully complete Swinburne's MathsLink: General bridging program. Mathematics prerequisites older than ten years are not considered to have met course requirements.

C. Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

Educational history 

An applicant's entire academic history from the past seven years, including complete and/or incomplete post-secondary VET studies, will be considered for entry into this course. Only graded results will be considered. 

Meeting course prerequisites 

As for Year 12 or equivalent. 

Bridging courses 

Applicants who do not meet the mathematics prerequisites for this course will be required to successfully complete Swinburne's MathsLink: General bridging program. Mathematics prerequisites older than ten years are not considered to have met course requirements.

D. Applicants with work and life experience

Entire academic record 

This course uses an applicant's entire academic record as part of its selection considerations, including an applicant's ATAR results from the last seven years can be considered for entry into this course. 

Meeting course prerequisites 

As for Year 12 or equivalent. 

STAT/Bridging courses 

Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.