University of Technology Sydney

C10131v7 Bachelor of Medical Science Bachelor of Laws

Award(s): Bachelor of Medical Science in Pathology (BMedSc)
Bachelor of Medical Science in Medical and Health-related Sciences (BMedSc)
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
Innovation and Transdisciplinary program
Course intended learning outcomes
Admission requirements
Inherent 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.

Medical Scientists with Law training have careers that are dynamic and involve an exciting range of professions from research and development, policy and practice in the medical and Health and Sciences, government, industrial and commercial applications of medical science and law. Medical Scientists at UTS can chose to major in Medical and Health-related Sciences or Pathology, allowing them to have a speciality relevant to their career choices and interests. In the Medical and Health-related Science major students learn the body through the study of tissues, organs and cellular facets both in health and disease, medical devices, how medicines work, as well as public health policies and clinical trials. In the Pathology major students learn how diseases trigger biochemical or cellular changes in the body and how to best diagnose and treat these diseases. Students also learn how to identify infectious agents and the latest approaches to prevent, treat infections and limit their impact on society. Students learn by applying and investigating scientific approaches in world class laboratories with up-to-date scientific technologies and equipment in line with those used in the industry. This hands-on learning is accompanied by development of professional skills such as communication, problem solving, critical thinking, and innovation.

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, human genetic, precision medicine, medical research and development, or pharmacology is valued; manager, officer or researcher in private or public health administration.

Innovation and Transdisciplinary program

Transdisciplinarity and Innovation at UTS

All UTS students have the opportunity to develop distinctive capabilities around transdisciplinary thinking and innovation through the TD School. Transdisciplinary education at UTS brings together great minds from different disciplines to explore ideas that improve the way we live and work in the world. These offerings are unique to UTS and directly translate to many existing and emerging roles and careers.

Diploma in Innovation

The Diploma in Innovation (C20060) teaches innovation, supports personal transformation and provides the hard skills needed to support the inventors and inventions of the future. Students come out of the Diploma in Innovation, with the hard skills to create and support sectoral and societal transformation. Graduates are able to fluently integrate ideas, across professional disciplines and are inventors of the future.

All UTS undergraduate students (with the exception of students concurrently enrolled in the Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation) can apply for the Diploma in Innovation upon admission in their chosen undergraduate degree. It is a complete degree program that runs in parallel to any undergraduate degree. The course is offered on a three-year, part-time basis, with subjects running in 3-week long intensive blocks in July, December and February sessions. More information including a link to apply is available at https://dipinn.uts.edu.au.

Transdisciplinary electives program

Transdisciplinary electives broaden students' horizons and supercharge their problem-solving skills, helping them to learn outside, beyond and across their degrees. Students enrolled in an undergraduate course that includes electives can choose to take a transdisciplinary subject (with the exception of students concurrently enrolled in the Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation). More information about the TD Electives program is available here.

Course intended learning outcomes

LAW.1.1 A coherent understanding of fundamental areas of legal knowledge including:
a. The Australian colonial and post-colonial legal system, international and comparative contexts, theoretical and technical knowledge;
b. The broader contexts within which legal issues arise and the law operates including cultural awareness, social justice and policy;
c. The impact of Anglo-Australian laws on Indigenous peoples, including their historical origins in the process of colonisation and ongoing impact; and
d. 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:
a. An understanding of approaches to ethical decision making and professional responsibility;
b. 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; and
c. An ability to reflect on and engage constructively with diversity in practice.
LAW.3.1 A capacity to think critically, strategically and creatively, including the ability to:
a. Identify and articulate legal issues in context, including the skill of critical reading and writing;
b. Apply reasoning and research to generate appropriate responses;
c. Engage in critical analysis and make a reasoned choice amongst alternatives; and
d. 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:
a. Highly effective use of the English language to convey legal ideas and views to different and diverse audiences and environments;
b. An ability to communicate to inform, analyse, report and persuade;
c. An ability to strategically select an appropriate medium and message;
d. An ability to assess how messages are received and alter communication strategies accordingly; and
e. An ability to be responsive and adaptive to the perspectives of collaborators, clients, counter parties and others.
LAW.6.1 Effective and appropriate collaboration skills in working together to achieve a common goal in a group learning environment or the workplace including:
a. An ability to give and receive feedback;
b. Appropriate professional and interpersonal skills in working collaboratively;
c. A capacity to develop strategies to successfully negotiate group challenges; and
d. An ability to be responsive and adaptive to the perspectives of collaborators, clients, counter parties and others.
LAW.7.1 Bachelor of Law graduates will:
Apply knowledge and skills to develop professional capabilities to work effectively with and for Indigenous peoples and communities across the law profession.
LAW.8.1 The ability to implement appropriate self-management and lifelong learning strategies including:
a. An ability to undertake and initiate self-directed work and learning;
b. Well-developed judgment and responsibility as a legal professional in a broader social context;
c. 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; and
d. A capacity to adapt to and embrace change and a commitment to ongoing learning.
SCI.1.1 Explain how diseases arise and disrupt normal physiological function and appraise the technologies used to diagnose, treat, and cure diseases.
SCI.2.1 Collect, accurately record, interpret, and draw conclusions from data to solve real-world medical problems, and infer how the results of medical research can be translated to improve patient outcomes.
SCI.3.1 Evaluate ethical, social, and cultural issues in medical science in local and global contexts and work responsibly, safely and with respect to diversity and regulatory frameworks.
SCI.4.1 Reflect upon, independently evaluate, and critically appraise current evidence-based literature to identify medical problems or unmet medical needs and creatively translate medical research results to improve the clinical care of patients.
SCI.5.1 Effectively communicate medical science knowledge and research information, and the importance thereof, to a range of audiences using a variety of modes, independently and collaboratively.
SCI.6.1 Acquire or Develop knowledge of Indigenous Australian contexts to inform professional cultural capability to work effectively with and for, Indigenous Australians within the medical science context.

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: IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL iBT: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64 with a writing score of 50; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 with a writing score of 169.

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.

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are academic and non-academic requirements that are essential to the successful completion of a course. For more information about inherent requirements and where prospective and current students can get assistance and advice regarding these, see the UTS Inherent requirements page.

Prospective and current students should carefully read the Inherent Requirements Statement below and consider whether they might experience challenges in successfully completing this course.

UTS will make reasonable adjustments to teaching and learning, assessment, professional experiences, course related work experience and other course activities to facilitate maximum participation by students with disabilities, carer responsibilities, and religious or cultural obligations in their courses.

For course specific information see the Faculty of Law Inherent (Essential) Requirements Statement.

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

STM90691 Law stream 144cp
STM91714 Core Subjects (Medical Science) 24cp
CBK92146 Major choice (Medical Science) 72cp
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 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.

Medical and Health-related sciences, Autumn commencing, full time
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
91314 General Microbiology   6cp
Spring session
65212 Chemistry 2   6cp
91401 Immunology   6cp
91830 Human Pathophysiology   6cp
70617 Administrative Law   8cp
Year 3
Autumn session
70104 Civil Practice   6cp
70327 Introduction to Property and Commercial Law   6cp
70109 Evidence   6cp
91142 Biotechnology   6cp
Spring session
70317 Real Property   8cp
91822 Human Genetics and Precision Medicine   6cp
70517 Equity and Trusts   8cp
91838 Structural Anatomy and Neuroanatomy   6cp
Year 4
Autumn session
91707 Fundamentals of Pharmacology   6cp
91320 Metabolic Biochemistry   6cp
70108 Public International Law   6cp
Spring session
91709 Advanced Pharmacology   6cp
91180 Immunology and Human Health   6cp
91828 Evidence Based Practice in Medical Science   6cp
91705 Medical Devices and Diagnostics   6cp
Year 5
Autumn session
71116 Remedies   6cp
70417 Corporate Law   8cp
Select 6 credit points from the following:   6cp
CBK90922 Options (Law UG) 30cp  
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  
Spring session
Select 24 credit points of options   24cp
Pathology, Autumn commencing, full time
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
91314 General Microbiology   6cp
Spring session
65212 Chemistry 2   6cp
91401 Immunology   6cp
91132 Molecular Biology   6cp
70617 Administrative Law   8cp
Year 3
Autumn session
70104 Civil Practice   6cp
70327 Introduction to Property and Commercial Law   6cp
70109 Evidence   6cp
91320 Metabolic Biochemistry   6cp
Spring session
70317 Real Property   8cp
91178 Applications of Molecular Biology   6cp
70517 Equity and Trusts   8cp
91827 Advanced Medical Biochemistry   6cp
Year 4
Autumn session
91563 Haematology   6cp
91500 Histology   6cp
70108 Public International Law   6cp
Spring session
91821 Transfusion Science   6cp
91180 Immunology and Human Health   6cp
91826 Advanced Haematology and Pathology Diagnosis   6cp
91829 Microbiology Diagnosis   6cp
Year 5
Autumn session
71116 Remedies   6cp
70417 Corporate Law   8cp
Select 6 credit points from the following:   6cp
CBK90922 Options (Law UG) 30cp  
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  
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 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