C10131v3 Bachelor of Medical Science Bachelor of Laws

Note(s)

Overview

The law is of special importance in many areas of medical science, including medical and health practice, medical and biological research and industrial and commercial enterprise. The Bachelor of Medical Science Bachelor of Laws is offered jointly by the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Science. The program provides full-time study for students wishing to obtain a professional legal qualification that satisfies the requirements for admission as a legal practitioner, and study in medical science.

Graduates of this course understand the complex links between medical science and law, increasing their employability in both fields.

Career options

Career options include legal practitioner in areas where a strong background in behavioural science, human biology, neuroscience or pharmacology is valued; manager, officer or researcher in private or public health health administration.

Additional assumed knowledge

English proficiency, mathematics, and at least one science subject.

Course duration and attendance

The course duration is five years of full-time study. Students who undertake either the Diploma in Scientific Practice (not available to international students) or the Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours) complete the course in six years of full-time study.

The Law component requires attendance at 10 to 15 hours of lectures per week and timetable constraints may require attendance at daytime and evening classes. The Science component requires attendance of approximately 24 hours per week at the University.

Course structure

The course comprises a total of 240 credit points, and allows students to graduate with the separate degrees of Bachelor of Medical Science and Bachelor of Laws. The study components for course completion are as follows:

The Law component of 144 credit points is made up of:

• 96 credit points of compulsory core law subjects (14 subjects)
• 24 credit points of law options (four subjects), and
• either 24 credit points of practical legal training subjects (five subjects) or an additional 24 credit points of law options (four subjects).

The Medical Science component comprises 96 credit points of core Medical Science subjects.

Students graduate from the BMedSc independently from the LLB. However, to be eligible for graduation from the BMedSc students must complete a total of 96 credit points of Faculty of Science subjects plus at least 96 credit points of Bachelor of Laws subjects.

Industrial training/professional practice

To practice as a legal practitioner in NSW students must successfully complete an accredited legal qualification (i.e. Bachelor of Laws) and an accredited course of practical legal training, such as the UTS Practical Legal Training (PLT) program.

Course completion requirements

Course diagram

Course program

Levels of award

Honours

The BMedSc with Honours requires an additional year of study and is designed to introduce students to more advanced coursework and to research work in medical science. It allows eligible students to continue with postgraduate studies if desired and enhances their employment prospects.

Professional recognition

Supreme Court of NSW

This course satisfies the requirements for admission as a legal practitioner, provided students undertake the optional Practical Legal Training in the final semester. Depending on the science subjects chosen, graduates may be eligible for admission to the relevant scientific professional organisation.

Other information

Further information is available from the Law Information Office on: