University of Technology Sydney

C10131v6 Bachelor of Medical Science Bachelor of Laws

Award(s): Bachelor of Medical Science (BMedSc)
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

UAC code: 609065 (Autumn session)
CRICOS code: 025797G
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
Course duration and attendance
Course structure
Course completion requirements
Course diagram
Course program
Honours
Professional recognition
Other information

Overview

Medical and health practice, medical and biological research, and industrial and commercial enterprise are all areas of medical science where legal expertise is of crucial importance.

With the Bachelor of Medical Science Bachelor of Laws, students can prepare for specialist roles in the field of health care law or opt to pursue two discrete qualifications in medical science and law. Elective subjects in biomedicine, mental health or intellectual property tailor the degree to either a health care or research focus, or students can pursue a broad introduction to a range of health and law concepts by choosing subjects that correspond to their individual interests.

The Legal Futures and Technology major enables the development of niche expertise in emerging technologies that are impacting the legal sector, such as smart contracts, AI and blockchain. The Bachelor of Laws satisfies the academic requirements for admission to practise law in NSW.

Career options

Career options include lawyer in areas where a strong background in human biology, medical diagnostics, neuroscience or pharmacology is valued; manager, officer or researcher in private or public health administration.

Course intended learning outcomes

LAW.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
LAW.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
LAW.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 among alternatives; and think creatively in approaching legal issues and generating appropriate responses
LAW.4.1 Well-developed cognitive and practical skills necessary to identify, research, evaluate and synthesise relevant factual, legal and policy issues
LAW.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
LAW.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, by making use of feedback as appropriate, by identifying and accessing appropriate resources and assistance, and by making use of resources and support in developing resilience; a capacity to adapt to and embrace change and a commitment to ongoing learning
SCI.1.1 Apply: Identify how disease can arise and disrupt normal physiological function.
SCI.1.2 Analyse: Select and appraise the technology and tools to detect and diagnose diseases.
SCI.1.3 Synthesise: Combine the principles of precision medicine and human genetics to solving problems and analysing case studies in the medical field.
SCI.2.1 Apply: Demonstrate experimental design and sampling to design appropriate studies to test hypotheses addressing medical science investigations.
SCI.2.2 Analyse: Examine and use appropriate scientific tools in the design and execution of medical science research.
SCI.2.3 Synthesise: Think and work creatively to bring new perspectives and solutions to current and emerging medical science challenges.
SCI.3.1 Apply: Identify health and medical solutions for local and the global communities.
SCI.3.2 Analyse: Demonstrate ethical practice in medical science sector.
SCI.3.3 Synthesise: Work responsibly, safely, and with respect to diversity, within ethical, academic, and regulatory frameworks relevant to medical science.
SCI.4.1 Apply: Engage in reflective practices as a lifelong learner and incorporate these into everyday practice as a medical scientist.
SCI.4.2 Analyse: Evaluate and critically appraise current evidence-based literature to determine best practices, and gaps in medical research and knowledge.
SCI.4.3 Synthesise: Work creatively to translate the results of medical research to improve the clinical care of patients and/or the mechanisms of disease.
SCI.5.1 Apply: Communicate medical science effectively in a number of multimedia forms to a wide range of audiences.
SCI.5.2 Analyse: Establish high-quality writing and oral skills to effectively communicate reports and other relevant ideas to a range of audiences.
SCI.5.3 Synthesise: Practice the requirements for presentation of research data through preparation of oral and written works.
SCI.6.1 Apply: Identify how diagnostic procedures impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
SCI.6.2 Analyse: Examine the unique health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
SCI.6.3 Synthesise: Incorporate knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities when engaging as professionals in the health sector, as technicians, practitioners, and colleagues.

Key

LAW = Law course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
SCI = Science 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

English proficiency; mathematics; and two science subjects.

Course duration and attendance

The course duration is five years of full-time study. Students who undertake the Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours) (C09031) complete the course in six years of full-time study.

The law component requires attendance at 10–15 hours of lectures a week and timetable constraints may require attendance at daytime and evening classes. The science component requires attendance of approximately 10 hours a 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 (BMedSc) and Bachelor of Laws (LLB). 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 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 science subjects plus at least 96 credit points of Bachelor of Laws subjects.

For a current listing of subjects in each course refer to the study package directory.

Graduation from the medical science component of the combined degree is not possible prior to completion of all components of the combined degree. Students wishing to graduate with a Bachelor of Medical Science prior to completion of the law component of the combined degree must apply for transfer to the Bachelor of Medical Science (C10184) single degree program where they must complete all requirements for the stand-alone single degree version.

Similarly, a student can graduate from the law component of the combined degree prior to completion of the medical science component, but if they wish to continue with the medical science component, they must apply for transfer to the Bachelor of Medical Science (C10184) single degree program where they need to complete all requirements for the stand-alone single degree version.

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).

Course completion requirements

STM90349 Core subjects (Medical Science) 96cp
STM90691 Law stream 144cp
Total 240cp

Course diagram

Course diagram: C10131

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.

Year 1
Autumn session
70102 Foundations of Law   8cp
70103 Ethics Law and Justice   6cp
91161 Cell Biology and Genetics   6cp
65111 Chemistry 1   6cp
Spring session
70311 Torts   8cp
70114 Criminal Law and Procedure   8cp
91400 Human Anatomy and Physiology   6cp
Year 2
Autumn session
70211 Contracts   8cp
70616 Australian Constitutional Law   8cp
33116 Statistical Design and Analysis   6cp
Spring session
91239 Human Pathophysiology   6cp
68041 Physical Aspects of Nature   6cp
65212 Chemistry 2   6cp
70617 Administrative Law   8cp
Year 3
Autumn session
70104 Civil Practice   6cp
70327 Introduction to Property and Commercial Law   6cp
70109 Evidence   6cp
91703 Physiological Systems   6cp
Spring session
70317 Real Property   8cp
91705 Medical Devices and Diagnostics   6cp
70517 Equity and Trusts   8cp
91175 Evidence-based Medical Science   6cp
Year 4
Autumn session
91707 Pharmacology 1   6cp
91320 Metabolic Biochemistry   6cp
70108 Public International Law   6cp
Spring session
91176 Case Studies in Medical Science   6cp
91709 Pharmacology 2   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  
76068 Indigenous Peoples and the Law 6cp  
91148 Human Genetics and Precision Medicine   6cp
Year 5
Autumn session
71116 Remedies   6cp
70417 Corporate Law   8cp
91706 Neuroscience   6cp
Select 6 credit points from the following:   6cp
CBK90922 Options (Law UG) 30cp  
Spring session
Select 24 credit points of options   24cp

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.

The Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours) (C09031) requires an additional year of study and is designed to introduce students to research work in medical science. It allows eligible students to continue with postgraduate studies if desired and enhances their employment prospects.

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 program, such as the Graduate Certificate in Professional Legal Practice (C11232).

Other information

Further information is available from:

UTS Student Centre
telephone 1300 ask UTS (1300 275 887)
or +61 2 9514 1222
Ask UTS

Further information on the medical science component is available from:

Associate Professor Loraine Holley
Course director
telephone +61 2 9514 2180
fax +61 2 9514 2186