C10245v3 Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Bachelor of Laws
Award(s): Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSc)Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
UAC code: 609020 (Autumn session)
CRICOS code: 064382G
Commonwealth supported place?: Yes
Load credit points: 240
Course EFTSL: 5
Location: City campus
Overview
Career options
Course intended learning outcomes
Admission requirements
Assumed knowledge
Credit recognition
Course duration and attendance
Course structure
Course completion requirements
Course diagram
Course program
Levels of award
Honours
Professional recognition
Other information
Overview
The primary goal of this combined degree is to prepare lawyers with an expert knowledge of IT qualifying them to work as IT professionals in a legal environment.
The law component of this course provides a thorough grounding in Australian legal practice. The information technology component offers a sound education in all aspects of computing and information technology and allows students to gain a specialisation with an IT major.
The information technology component adopts a practice-based approach to IT education and the course content is a mix of theory and practice. As well as gaining strong technical skills in IT, students gain skills in business analysis, problem solving, teamwork and communication.
Career options
Lawyers with IT skills are in demand. Career opportunities include lawyer or policy adviser in various government departments, in-house legal counsel to an IT or software company, or specialist in areas such as intellectual property, e-commerce and privacy or internet censorship. Alternatively, graduates can work as IT professionals in legal practice, legal publishing or private law firms.
Course intended learning outcomes
| 1.1 | A coherent understanding of fundamental areas of legal knowledge including: the Australian legal system, international and comparative contexts, theoretical and technical knowledge; the broader contexts within which legal issues arise and the law operates including cultural awareness, social justice and policy; and the principles and values of justice and ethical practices in lawyers' roles. |
| 2.1 | A capacity to value and promote honesty, integrity, accountability, public service and ethical standards including: an understanding of approaches to ethical decision making and professional responsibility; and an ability to recognise, reflect upon and respond to ethical issues likely to arise in professional contexts in ways that evidence professional judgment, promote justice and serve the community. |
| 3.1 | A capacity to think critically, strategically and creatively, including the ability to: identify and articulate legal issues in context; apply reasoning and research to generate appropriate responses; engage in critical analysis and make a reasoned choice amongst alternatives; and think creatively in approaching legal issues and generating appropriate responses. |
| 4.1 | Well-developed cognitive and practical skills necessary to identify, research, evaluate and synthesise relevant factual, legal and policy issues. |
| 5.1 | Effective and appropriate communication skills including: highly effective use of the English language to convey legal ideas and views to different audiences and environments; an ability to communicate to inform, analyse, report and persuade; an ability to strategically select an appropriate medium and message; an ability to assess how messages are received and alter communication strategies accordingly; an ability to be responsive and adaptive to the perspectives of collaborators, clients, counter parties and others; and an ability to generate a sustained and logical argument. |
| 6.1 | The ability to implement appropriate self-management and lifelong learning strategies including: an ability to undertake and initiate self-directed work and learning; well developed judgment and responsibility as a legal professional in a broader social context; the ability to support personal and professional development by: reflecting on and assessing their own capabilities, wellbeing and performance; making use of feedback as appropriate; identifying and accessing appropriate resources and assistance; and making use of resources and support in developing resilience; a capacity to adapt to and embrace change and a commitment to ongoing learning. |
| IT.A.0 | Needs, context and systems - Engineering and IT take place within the larger context of society and the environment, which encompasses social, economic and sustainability needs. |
| IT.A.1 | Identify, interpret and analyse stakeholder needs. |
| IT.A.2 | Establish priorities and goals |
| IT.A.3 | Identify constraints, uncertainties and risks of the system (social, cultural, legislative, environmental, business etc.) |
| IT.A.4 | Apply principles of sustainability to create viable systems |
| IT.A.5 | Apply systems thinking to understand complex system behaviour including interactions between components and with other systems (social, cultural, legislative, environmental, business etc.) |
| IT.B.0 | Problem solving and design - Engineering and IT practice focuses on problem-solving and design where artifacts are conceived, created, used, modified, maintained and retired. |
| IT.B.1 | Identify and apply relevant problem solving methodologies |
| IT.B.2 | Design components, systems and/or processes to meet required specifications |
| IT.B.3 | Synthesise alternative/innovative solutions, concepts and procedures |
| IT.B.4 | Apply decision-making methodologies to evaluate solutions for efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability |
| IT.B.5 | Implement and test solutions |
| IT.B.6 | Demonstrate research skills |
| IT.C.0 | Abstraction and modelling - Abstraction, modelling, simulation and visualization inform decision-making, and are underpinned by mathematics, as well as basic and discipline sciences. |
| IT.C.1 | Apply abstraction, mathematics and/or discipline fundamentals to analysis, design and operation |
| IT.C.2 | Develop models using appropriate tools such as computer software, laboratory equipment and other devices |
| IT.C.3 | Evaluate model applicability, accuracy and limitations |
| IT.D.0 | Self-management - Graduates must have capabilities for self-organisation, self-review, personal development and lifelong learning. |
| IT.D.1 | Manage own time and processes effectively by prioritising competing demands to achieve personal goals (Manage self) |
| IT.D.2 | Reflect on personal and professional experiences to engage in independent development beyond formal education for lifelong learning |
| IT.E.0 | Communication and coordination - Engineering and IT practice involves the coordination of a range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary activities to arrive at problem and design solutions. |
| IT.E.1 | Communicate effectively in ways appropriate to the discipline, audience and purpose. |
| IT.E.2 | Work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams within a multi-level, multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural setting |
| IT.E.3 | Identify and apply relevant project management methodologies |
| IT.F.0 | Professional practice within global context - Graduates must possess skills, knowledge and behaviours to operate effectively in culturally-diverse workplaces and a changing global environment. |
| IT.F.1 | Be able to conduct critical self-review and performance evaluation against appropriate criteria as a primary means of tracking personal development needs and achievements |
| IT.F.2 | Appreciate ethical implications of professional practice |
| IT.F.3 | Understand cross-cultural issues (regions or workplaces) |
| IT.F.4 | Be aware of global perspectives (needs, rules/regulations, and specifications) |
Key
IT = Information Technology course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
Admission requirements
Applicants must have completed an Australian Year 12 qualification, Australian Qualifications Framework Diploma, or equivalent Australian or overseas qualification at the required level.
The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL: paper based: 550-583 overall with TWE of 4.5, internet based: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64; or CAE: 176-184.
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.
International students
Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.
Assumed knowledge
HSC or equivalent mathematics; and any two units of English.
Mathematics Extension 1 and English Advanced are recommended.
Credit recognition
Credit recognition is not normally granted in this course for study completed at a private college, except where UTS has an external articulation agreement with the college. There are no exemptions granted for the networking subjects 31270, 31277 and 31283 without the successful completion of the challenge test for each of the these subjects. A challenge test is granted at enrolment time to students who have completed the CCNA curriculum (or CCNP) at a university and/or TAFE diploma level where the awarding institution is a CISCO Networking Academy. These challenge tests are always held in the week before the commencement of session.
Course duration and attendance
The course duration is five years of full-time study. The law component requires attendance of 10–15 hours of lectures a week and timetable constraints require attendance at daytime and evening classes. The IT component normally requires around 12 hours attendance of lectures and seminars a week and attendance at some evening classes may be required. The Diploma in Information Technology Professional Practice (C20056) includes at least nine months of paid work experience in the IT industry.
Course structure
The course comprises a total of 240 credit points, allowing students to graduate with the separate degrees of Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Bachelor of Laws. The study components for course completion are as follows.
The law component of 144 credit points is made up of:
- 108 credit points of compulsory core law subjects
- 30 credit points of law options, including either:
- 30 credit points of law options, or
- 30 credit points of legal futures and technology options
- a 6-credit-point legal theory option.
The IT component of 96 credit points is made up of:
- 48 credit points of core IT subjects, and
- 48 credit points of subjects for an IT major.
For a current listing of subjects in each course refer to the study package directory.
Industrial training/professional practice
To practise as a lawyer in NSW, students need to successfully complete an accredited legal academic qualification (e.g. Bachelor of Laws) and an accredited course of practical legal training (PLT), which UTS offers through its PLT program.
Students enrolled in this course may complete their practical legal training by undertaking a postgraduate course in PLT, such as the Graduate Certificate in Professional Legal Practice (C11232).
Students also have the option to undertake the Diploma in Information Technology Professional Practice (C20056) once they have secured suitable full-time employment in the IT industry. This incorporates a minimum of nine months' full-time paid work experience with four supporting subjects at UTS.
Course completion requirements
| STM90691 Law stream | 144cp | |
| STM90651 Core subjects (Information Technology) | 48cp | |
| CBK90781 Major choice (Information Technology) | 48cp | |
| Total | 240cp |
Course diagram
Course program
The standard program shown is for a full-time student with law options.
All options shown are law options and are to be drawn from those on offer in CBK90922.
Students wishing to study the new major MAJ09443 Legal Futures and Technology need to study 76106 Technology Law, Policy and Ethics (Capstone 1) in the Autumn session of their final year and 76107 Applied Project in Law, Innovation and Technology (Capstone 2) in their final Spring session.
All electives shown are IT electives and are to be drawn from those on offer in CBK90781.
| Year 1 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 31265 Communication for IT Professionals | 6cp | |
| 31268 Web Systems | 6cp | |
| 70102 Foundations of Law | 8cp | |
| 70103 Ethics Law and Justice | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 31266 Introduction to Information Systems | 6cp | |
| 48023 Programming Fundamentals | 6cp | |
| 31270 Networking Essentials | 6cp | |
| 70311 Torts | 8cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 31269 Business Requirements Modelling | 6cp | |
| 70114 Criminal Law and Procedure | 8cp | |
| 70211 Contracts | 8cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 31271 Database Fundamentals | 6cp | |
| 70616 Australian Constitutional Law | 8cp | |
| 70327 Commercial Law | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points of electives | 6cp | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 70104 Civil Practice | 6cp | |
| 70317 Real Property | 8cp | |
| Select 6 credit points of electives | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 71116 Remedies | 6cp | |
| 70109 Evidence | 6cp | |
| Select 12 credit points of electives | 12cp | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 70617 Administrative Law | 8cp | |
| 70517 Equity and Trusts | 8cp | |
| Select 6 credit points of electives | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 31272 Project Management and the Professional | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points of options | 6cp | |
| Select 12 credit points of electives | 12cp | |
| Year 5 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 70417 Corporate Law | 8cp | |
| 70108 Public International Law | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points from the following: | 6cp | |
| 76008 Jurisprudence | 6cp | |
| 76033 Animal Law and Policy in Australia | 6cp | |
| 76057 Judgment and the Rule of Law | 6cp | |
| 76081 Gender and Law | 6cp | |
| 78039 Wickedness and Vice | 6cp | |
| 76902 Law and Literature | 6cp | |
| 76012 Criminology | 6cp | |
| 76092 Advanced Property | 6cp | |
| 76068 Indigenous Peoples and the Law | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points of electives | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| Select 24 credit points of options | 24cp | |
Levels of award
The Bachelor of Science in Information Technology may also be awarded with a distinction, credit or pass.
Honours
Students can graduate with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) if they complete subjects 76090 Research Methodology and 76040 Research Thesis within the course. The degree may be awarded with first or second class honours, which does not require an additional honours year. The rules concerning the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) can be found in undergraduate course information.
Students who meet these criteria for honours are eligible for transfer into the appropriate undergraduate honours exit course on completion of all coursework. This transfer is managed by the Haymarket Student Centre and occurs just prior to graduation.
Students who undertake the Legal Futures and Technology major and who meet the criteria for honours can choose to undertake honours as part of their degree.
Students interested in research and who excel in their IT studies are eligible to undertake one additional full-time year of honours study in the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Information Technology (C09019). The honours year is also available on a part-time basis over two years.
Professional recognition
This course satisfies the requirements for admission to the Supreme Court of NSW as a lawyer, provided students complete a practical legal training (PLT) program, such as the Graduate Certificate in Professional Legal Practice (C11232).
The IT component qualifies for professional-level membership of the Australian Computer Society.
Other information
Further information on the law component or the IT component for current students is available from:
UTS Student Centre
telephone 1300 ask UTS (1300 275 887)
or +61 2 9514 1222
Ask UTS
Further information for future students on the IT component is available from:
Engineering and Information Technology Outreach Office
telephone +61 2 9514 2666
email it@uts.edu.au
