Bachelor of Science - Bachelor of Laws

Give your scientific research the power to influence policy and legislation through an in-depth knowledge of the legal system. Whether you’re passionate about environmental conservation and sustainability or advocacy and human rights, JCU’s Bachelor of Science – Bachelor of Laws degree will equip you to make a difference to the people, communities and environments of the Tropics.

Learn the fundamentals of law and science, then select from a wide range of majors to build knowledge and skills in your chosen area of interest.

In your science degree, study under the guidance of JCU’s leading science experts. Benefit from opportunities to undertake real-world research in World Heritage listed reef and rainforest environments.

In your law degree, take advantage of JCU's community links and strong support from the legal profession, which contribute to providing an authentic learning environment. This course is accredited by the Legal Practitioners Board and approved for admission to practise law in Queensland.

At the end of this five-year joint degree you will have a comprehensive understanding of the role of law in social, economic, environmental and political contexts. Students will appreciate the complexity of legal matters in the context of scientific situations like environmental law and bioethics.

View the handbook for a detailed overview of core subjects and available options.

Majors

The Bachelor of Laws degree has a wide variety of subjects that you’ll choose to comprise your studies. The Bachelor of Science degree has 8 majors for you to choose from.

Aquaculture Science and Technology

Discover the sustainable practices of aquaculture with lecturers who are world-leaders in tropical aquaculture research and development. Access to the JCU Marine and Aquaculture Research Facility will enhance your knowledge and provide current practical skills.

Throughout this major, you will explore the scientific and practical applications of breeding, rearing, and harvesting of plants and animals in all types of water environments. You will understand the biodiversity of species and how they are farmed, the design of aquaculture systems and the basics of nutrition.

With a focus on tropical species, our researchers’ strong links to industry will give you a sound professional network when you graduate. Career opportunities include jobs in hatcheries, stock nutrition programs and management, fresh water and marine farming, or aquaculture research.

Chemistry

Study in award-winning laboratories and experience excursions to local companies in the chemical industry. You will benefit from small class sizes and the personalised approach of our lecturers.

Gain current, industry-relevant skills and explore the many areas of chemistry including analytical chemistry, synthetic, organic and inorganic chemistry, and kinetics and mechanisms of chemical reactions. In your third year, you will learn a number of instrumental techniques widely used in the industry.

Accredited by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI), this chemistry major will open up career opportunities both nationally and internationally. Working across a number of industries, you could work as an analytical chemist, research chemist, clinical diagnostician, forensic scientist or environmental scientist.

Please note mid-year entry is not available for the Chemistry major.

Data Science

Data and analytics capabilities have accelerated in recent years. The volume of available data has grown exponentially, more sophisticated algorithms have been developed and computational power and storage have steadily improved.

Data scientists work in every industry – from defence departments to internet start-ups and financial institutions – and tackle big data projects on every level. Skills in data science, big data and analytics are among the most sought-after jobs in the tech world today.

The Data Science major packages existing data science subjects together with new subjects on Data Visualisation, Big Data and Machine Learning.

Environmental Earth Science

Study Environmental Earth Science and gain practical skills related to biodiversity, climate management and relevant scientific processes.

Gain a thorough understanding of rocks, soils, rivers, coasts and climate and how they affect people and are influenced by human activities. With access to the diverse environments of North Queensland, including JCU Fletcherview Research Station, JCU Orpheus Island Research Station, the Daintree Rainforest Observatory, and the Environmental Research Complex, your learning will be grounded in real-world applications.

Through this specialisation, you’ll develop expertise within field work processes, data analysis and report writing, preparing you for diverse and exciting career opportunities across many sectors. Graduates with a major in Environmental Earth Science may work in consultancy, government or industry. You could pursue a career as a geologist, geographer, hydrologist, soil scientist, climatologist, environmental scientist or oceanographer, to name a few.

Geology

Become an innovative problem-solver and explore the broad applications of geology, a field concerned with the structure and composition of the earth.

Build an in-depth understanding of geoscience with a focus on sedimentology, geographical mapping and structural geology. You’ll benefit from flexibility through subject choices, equipping you to explore a combination of geochemistry, critical mineral exploration or environmental process, depending on your interests.

JCU’s unique location and strong connections with industry mean you’ll find numerous opportunities for hands-on learning. Develop your on-site experience through field trips and build connections with industry partners in mining, engineering and conservation. Seize the opportunity to participate in current geological research projects through JCU’s on-campus Economic Geology Research Centre.

Graduate with practical analysis and investigation skills that will equip you to take on opportunities within the mining and minerals sector, renewable energy or environmental assessment. Those with a specialisation in Geology excel in roles such as geoscientist, environmental geologist, management consultant, palaeontologist, teacher or academic.

Marine Biology

Learn from lecturers who are world-leaders and be equipped to address critical challenges facing marine and coastal ecosystems. You will study in a location that gives you access to one of the most diverse and fragile marine ecosystems in the world, the Great Barrier Reef.

By studying the surrounding habitats of the Great Barrier Reef, you will discover the impact that humans have on the marine environment and how the oceans and atmosphere interact. You will gain valuable employability skills through practical experiments and opportunities to visit the JCU Orpheus Island Research Station.

Benefit from our researchers’ strong links with industry including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), TropWater and CSIRO Townsville. As a marine biologist, you could work in conservation biology and policy, environmental and resource management, fisheries biology, ecosystem restoration and marine impact assessments.

Mathematics

Develop the problem-solving, analytical and quantitative reasoning skills that are highly sought-after by employers worldwide. With small class sizes, you will receive the one-on-one support required to excel as a mathematician.

Understand advanced mathematical techniques, data analysis and multivariate statistical methods. You will learn how to formulate mathematical models to illustrate science and engineering problems and use various techniques to help find solutions.

To enhance your employability skills, you have the flexibility to combine this major with another science major. As a mathematician, you can work in many sectors such as information technology, animation, business and finance, astronomy and space exploration, climate study or meteorology, cryptography and applied research.

Molecular and Cell Biology

Learn how to amplify and edit DNA sequences and conduct laboratory-based and field-based projects. Throughout your degree, you will study the basis of health and disease at a molecular level and analyse the functions of a whole cell.

Benefit from hands-on experience using cutting-edge equipment and techniques. Study biochemistry, microbiology, biotechnology and bioinformatics and gain an in-depth understanding of molecular genetics. These structures and processes form the basis of all living matter and provide insights into complex biological interactions.

Develop the foundations needed to work towards developments in modern medicine and biotechnology. You will have the knowledge to work across a breadth of industries — job opportunities include working in research laboratories, hospital and diagnostic departments, and biotech or pharmaceutical companies.

Zoology and Ecology

Learn from lecturers with global standing, study amazing rainforests and diverse species and go on field trips to Borneo or the Galapagos Islands. Offered at both our Townsville, Bebegu Yumba and Cairns, Nguma-bada campuses, you will study in one of the most biodiverse regions in Australia.

Study the biology of plants and animals and their natural habitats. Discover many of the environmental threats to the Tropics by studying the effects of deforestation, infrastructure expansion, habitat fragmentation, over-hunting, and invasive species.

You will access the various environments of the Wet Tropics and our Daintree Rainforest Observatory to learn about biosecurity, behavioural ecology, conservation biology and ecological modelling. You could find work as a wildlife or environmental consultant, zoologist or ecologist for a conservation, quarantine, or biosecurity organisation.

Refer to the handbook for a detailed overview of each major and minor available.