Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Honours)
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
This course has been discontinued - this course is closed for new enrolments, the information on this page is provided for continuing students.
The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Honours) offers students a course focused on commercial law with emphasis on intellectual property law. As the only double degree in Victoria with this specialisation, students learn about trademarks, patents and designs, copyright, the prohibition of misleading or deceptive conduct and competition law.
The course also provides students with the technical expertise needed to design technology involving physical motion. Students learn the core concepts of mechanics, kinematics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and energy.
Students complete both law- and engineering-related professional experience placements and are introduced to the practical aspects of legal practice through moot court scenarios and advocacy exercises.
The combination of degrees equips students with the skills to work in engineering firms, in government, as patent attorneys, and in legal fields specialising in engineering.
This course has been replaced by the Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Engineering (Honours).
VTAC codes
- 3400210453 (IFP)
- 3400210451 (CSP)
As a Swinburne law student you can choose to take part in a dual award program with Leo Cussen Centre for Law. This makes it possible to study your LLB at Swinburne while also completing Practical Legal Training (the Swinburne program) at Leo Cussen. Please note that this dual award is not available to those on international student visas.
Course structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Honours) requires students to complete units of study to the value of 650 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
View course rules and special requirements
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
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Placement
4 units (0 credit points)
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Experience in LAW 1 | LAW10016 | 0 |
| Professional Experience in Engineering | EAT20008 | 0 |
| Professional Experience in LAW 2 | LAW20018 | 0 |
| Professional Experience in LAW 3 | LAW30016 | 0 |
- Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
- Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
- One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
- See the course planner for an example degree structure
Course learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete the Bachelor of Laws should be able to:
- Describe and demonstrate the application of the fundamental areas of Australian law and the Australian legal system and of the principles and doctrines that underpin them.
- Describe and demonstrate the application of ethical and professional responsibility in the practice of the 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.
- Describe and compare the international legal order and the law and legal systems of Australia’s major trading partners.
- 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.
- Demonstrate effective and persuasive communication capabilities with legal and non-legal audiences.
- Communicate proficiently in professional practice to a variety of audiences, function as an effective member or leader of a diverse team and critically reflect on individual performance and professional development.
Students who successfully complete the Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) Honours should be able to:
- Apply coherent and advanced knowledge of mechanical engineering in diverse contexts and applications using critical thinking and judgement.
- Apply knowledge of research principles and methods to plan and execute a piece of research with some independence, as preparation for research higher degrees.
- Apply problem solving, design and decision-making methodologies to identify and provide innovative solutions to complex problems with intellectual independence.
- Apply abstraction, mathematics and mechanical engineering fundamentals to the analysis, design and operation of a model, using appropriate engineering methods and tools.
- Communicate proficiently in professional practice to a variety of audiences, function as an effective member or leader of a diverse team, and use the basic tools and practices of project management within project work.
- Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, ethical conduct, professional accountability and an awareness of professional engineering practice in a global and sustainable context.
- Reflect on and take responsibility for their own learning and self-management processes, and manage their own time and processes effectively by regularly reviewing of personal performance as a means of managing continuing professional development and lifelong learning.
Career opportunities
Graduates will have the theoretical and practical knowledge required to operate effectively in diverse settings such as law firms and barristers’ chambers, engineering consulting firms, not-for-profit organisations, government, small businesses, corporate organisations and as patent attorneys.
Mechanical engineers work in many areas of industry and commerce including automotive, vehicle, transport, power, manufacturing, materials processing, appliance production, mechanical building services, mining and raw material conversion. Mechanical engineering is also an excellent preparation for many general managerial positions in business and industry, not directly related to mechanical engineering.
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.
Graduates are eligible to apply for graduate membership of Engineers Australia.
Fees
Find out more about fees.
Scholarships
At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students.