Law and Science

Overview

Overview

Gain the ideal combination of skill sets for careers in science and technology innovation; and expand your career opportunities significantly within legal, business, government and non-profit organisations.

In the Bachelor of Laws, you can tailor your degree to your interests through optional units in areas such as forensic advocacy, family law, human rights law, native title law and policy, and law and technology.

In this course you’ll learn the core skills required for legal practice and build a strong commercial awareness. Importantly, you’ll learn the importance of the rule of law and the responsibilities and ethics of legal practice. You’ll also be able to study optional units – in areas such as forensic advocacy, family law, human rights law, native title law and policy, and law and technology – so that you can tailor your degree to your interests.

In the Bachelor of Science course, you'll choose one of five majors available – Chemistry, Data Science, Earth Sciences, Environmental Science, or Information and Communication Technology – and gain comprehensive knowledge and skills in that field.

You’ll study the first three years of your course at Curtin Perth. Your fourth year, plus one trimester, is delivered at Curtin Law School at our Perth city campus, where you can gain practical experience by undertaking simulated proceedings in our high-tech moot court and working on real cases at the John Curtin Law Clinic. You’ll also benefit greatly from your relationships with academics, and practising solicitors and barristers based at Curtin Law School.

Science majors

• Chemistry
• Data Science
• Earth Sciences
• Environmental Biology and Ecology
• Environmental Science
• Information and Communication Technology
• Space and Planetary Science

What you'll learn

• apply knowledge of the Australian legal system, statutory rules and case law principles in both the fundamental areas of legal knowledge and a range of elective fields to the resolution of legal problems; have demonstrated knowledge and understanding in a field of study that is typically at a level that, whilst supported by advanced textbooks, includes some aspects that will be informed by knowledge of the forefront of the field of study
• critically and creatively analyse legal problems to articulate the issues involved and apply legal reasoning to make a considered choice between competing solutions; can apply their knowledge and understanding in a manner that indicates a professional approach to their work or vocation, and have competencies typically demonstrated through devising and sustaining arguments (to both specialist and non-specialist audiences) and solving problems within their field of study
• identify, access, assess and synthesise relevant information from primary legal sources such as cases and legislation and secondary sources such as journal articles and commentaries (including electronic versions of these sources) and gather relevant oral and documentary evidence; understand the constructs of the scientific method and apply these principles in representative exercises using digital technologies
• communicate the outcomes of legal research and analysis effectively, appropriately and persuasively to colleagues, to clients and to other professionals and the broader community
• gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their field of study) to inform judgements that include reflection on relevant social, scientific or ethical issues, including being aware of the diversity of international perspectives associated with the sciences, and how these impact upon the practice of science, and use appropriate electronic legal databases for research purposes and be able to communicate effectively in electronic forms
• maintain intellectual curiosity as to justice and its practical application in the legal system, be able to identify areas where their legal knowledge and skills require further development, and to critically reflect on their own performance as legal professionals, making use of feedback as appropriate
• articulate the similarities and differences between local and other jurisdictions, including interstate and overseas ones, and be aware of the principles of public and private international law
• understand and appreciate cultural diversity and how it impacts on the practice of science; articulate distinct concepts of law, justice and human rights, with an awareness of different legal traditions and cultures, particularly indigenous cultures; identify how and where indigenous persons and other identifiable social groups are differentially impacted by the legal system
• display a high standard of professional behaviour, including effective time management, both independently and as a team member with a developing sense of the ethical issues that arise in legal practice and how these may be resolved