Combined Programs


* The combined Program BSc/JD is currently under review.


Combined BSc/JD (Computer Science) Program

The combined BSc/JD program allows students to complete both the BSc Honors Computer Science degree and the JD degree in six years, instead of the seven years it takes if the programs are pursued separately.

Successful applications to the combined program will enter first-year law after completing two years of Computer Science at Western. After one year in the Law School, students in the combined program will take a combination of Computer Science and Law courses in years four, five and six. Upon completion of the program students will receive both a BSc in Honors Computer Science and an JD.

Year 1

Principal courses:
Computer Science 1025a/b or 1026a/b, and Computer Science 1027a/b.
One full course or equivalent, chosen from the following: Mathematics 030, Applied Mathematics 026, Calculus 1000a/b, 1501a/b, 1301a/b, Linear Algebra 040a/b.
One other full-course equivalent.

Subsidiary courses:
Two full courses or equivalents.

Year 2

Principal courses:
Computer Science 2208a/b, 2209a/b, 2210a/b, 2211a/b, and 2212a/b/y.
One half course in Computer Science at the 300-level.
Mathematics 222a, 223b
One half-course at the 200-level or higher offered by the Department of Applied Mathematics, Mathematics, or Statistical and Actuarial Sciences.

Subsidiary course:
One half-course option.

Year 3

  • Law 5110 Constitutional Law
  • Law 5115 Contracts
  • Law 5120 Criminal
  • Law 5140 Property
  • Law 5145 Torts
  • Law 5125 Foundations of Canadian Law
  • Law 5130 Legal Ethics and Professionalism

Years 4 to 6

Students must take the following principal Computer Science courses:

  • Computer Science 3305a/b, 3307a/b, 3331a/b, 3340a/b, 3342a/b, and 3350a/b. A different 300-level Computer Science course can be substituted if one of these was taken in the second year.
  • Computer Science 4490y, to be taken in the sixth year.
  • One additional half-course in Computer Science at the 300-level or higher.
  • Four additional half-courses in Computer Science at the 400-level.
  • Law 5625a/c/d Intellectual Property and one of Law 431a/c/d Computer Law, 480a/c/d Communications Law will be counted as principal courses toward the Computer Science degree.

In addition, 18 credit hours of Law courses will be counted as subsidiary courses toward the Computer Science degree. Students must take the following Law courses:

  • Law 5215a/c/d Evidence; 5200a/c/d Administrative Law; 5210a/c/d Corporate Law; 5220a/c/d Income Taxation; 5205a/c/d Civil Procedure; 5230a/c/d Trusts; 5625a/c/d Intellectual Property; 431a/c/d Computer Law or 480a/c/d Communications Law
  • Students must take an additional 17 credit hours of Law courses, if they took Law 431a/c/d Computer Law, and 18 credit hours if they took Law 480a/c/d Communications Law.
  • Students must also complete a paper of at least two credit hours in one of their law courses.

Application Information

Applicants to the concurrent program will apply to the Faculty of Law at the beginning of their second year of Computer Science. To be eligible for the combined program, students must have a cumulative, weighted average of 78%, or stand in the top 20% of their class in their first two years of Computer Science. In addition, candidates must meet the minimum LSAT requirement established by the Law School Admissions Committee.

Progression Requirements

Once admitted to the combined program, students must meet the regular progression requirements of the Faculty of Law and the Department of Computer Science, and stand in the top half of their respective classes in each year.

Failure to Meet Progression Requirements

A student who fails to meet these progression requirements would be required to withdraw from the combined program. However, if that student has met the progression requirements of either the Computer Science or Law program, he or she will be allowed to proceed to the next year of that program. In order to graduate, a student who is withdrawn from the combined program must complete all the degree requirements of the program in which he or she is registered.

Dean's Honors List

Students in the combined program are considered for the Dean's Honors List in the Faculty in which they are enrolled. Eligibility is determined by the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Science.

Graduation with Distinction

Eligibility to graduate with distinction for each degree is determined by each faculty.

Fees

Tuition fees for the combined programs are set by the University. Contact the Office of the Registrar, Stevenson-Lawson, Room 190 (519) 661-3023 or at www.registrar.uwo.ca for details