C10245 Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Bachelor of Laws v1

UTS Course Code

C10245

Credit Points

240

International Students

Yes

Overview

The law component of this courses 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 primary goal of the combined degree is to prepare lawyers with an expert knowledge of IT qualifying them to work as IT professionals in a legal environment. 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 legal practitioner 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.

Additional Assumed Knowledge

HSC or equivalent Mathematics and any two units of English. Mathematics Extension 1 and English Advanced are recommended.

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 per week and timetable constraints require attendance at daytime and evening classes. The IT component requires attendance of 16–24 hours of lectures and seminars per week and attendance at some evening classes may be required. The Diploma in Information Technology Professional Practice (C20049) includes at least nine months of paid work experience in the IT industry.

Industrial / Professional Training

To practise as a lawyer in NSW, students need to successfully complete an accredited legal qualification (e.g. Bachelor of Laws) and an accredited course of practical legal training, which UTS offers through its PLT program. Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Laws have the option of completing the PLT program within their undergraduate law degree. Alternatively, students who wish to practise as lawyers in NSW can complete their Bachelor of Laws by including further law electives and then undertake a postgraduate course in PLT, such as the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (C07075).

Honours

Students interested in research and who excel in their IT studies are eligible to undertake one additional full-time year of study in the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Information Technology (C09019).

Professional Recognition

Australian Computer Society; Supreme Court of NSW

The IT component qualifies for professional-level membership of the Australian Computer Society. The law component satisfies the requirements for admission as a lawyer, provided students undertake the optional PLT in the final semester.

Further Information

For a detailed course program and further information on this course, please refer to the UTS Handbook