Monash University Handbook 2011 Postgraduate - Course

The graduate program in intellectual property law provides advanced offerings in this area for both law and non-law graduates. The extensive range of units enables students to develop and enhance their knowledge across the breadth of intellectual property subject matter that includes copyright, trade marks, patents for inventions and designs or to pursue some selected areas in greater depth. A number of units have accreditation from the Professional Standards Board for Patent and Trade Marks Attorneys, which makes the program attractive for those who seek to develop or expand a career in this area. The graduate program focuses upon a thorough grounding in the fundamental principles of intellectual property law and their practical application as well as addressing advanced and current issues from both a local and international perspective.

The Graduate Diploma in Law (Intellectual Property) aims to provide further education for both law and non-law graduates who want to upgrade their knowledge and keep abreast of local and international developments of laws relating to the protection of intellectual property rights. It may also contribute to continuing legal education and professional development and is for students who wish to gain accreditation as a trade marks attorney and credit for units recognised by the Professional Standards Board for Patent and Trade Marks Attorneys. The course, in terms of course structure, teaching methods, class times and venues, is designed with the interests of part-time students particularly in mind.

24 credit points

The knowledge requirements for registration as a Patent Attorney or a Trade Marks Attorney in Australia with the Australian Government's Professional Standards Board for Patent and Trades Mark Attorneys can be fulfilled by units available within the intellectual property specialisation. Further information on registration is available at http://www.psb.gov.au.

This course comprises eight 6-point coursework units.

Students must complete a minimum of five coursework units from the area of intellectual property. The remaining three coursework units may be taken from the approved list of law units. Refer to the 'Areas of Study'.

Students admitted with the maximum credit (24 credit points) must complete a minimum of three coursework units from the area of intellectual property. The remaining coursework unit may be taken from the approved list of law units.

Additional course requirements and recommendation:

• Students with a degree in a discipline other than law will be required to complete the unit LAW7212 Australian legal system.
• Students with a law degree from a non-Australian jurisdiction must complete the unit LAW7436 Introduction to Australian legal process.
• International students are recommended to undertake the unit LAW7285 Legal research and communications.

For further information regarding law units and specialisations visit

http://www.law.monash.edu.au/postgraduate/units-overview.html

Students are advised that not all units may be available in every year. For information on the current postgraduate law timetable visit

http://www.law.monash.edu.au/current-students/t-tables/index.html

Minimum grade for articulation

A credit average is required to articulate to a relevant masters program.

Areas of Study

• Intellectual property

Law postgraduate elective units

• Law

Graduate Diploma in Law (Intellectual Property)