2 answers
Cole
Student
Downingtown, Pennsylvania
2
Questions
Asked
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Can I major in a Science then go into law?
This fall I'll be attending Rochester Institute of Technology, Majoring in Bioinformatics: Molecular Genetics option.
Since I was a little kid, I've always wanted to go into law but through highschool I fell in love with biology. I want to know if I can still make this work. #patent #patented
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2 answers
Jerry Wald
Intellecutal Property
3
Answers
South San Francisco, California
Updated
Jerry’s Answer
You don't need to have a science background to go to law school. However, to become a patent attorney you may need a science or engineering degree. It is a requirement to pass the patent bar. In the US you need to licensed by the US Patent Office to prepare and file patent applications on behalf of a client. In order to be licensed by the Patent Office you need to have a degree in an area of science that is recognized as qualifying by the Patent Office. Certain areas of science are not recognized as qualifying, e.g., the social sciences.
Hi Jerry! Thanks for sharing this info. It sounds as if the student has already decided on a science major, and is wondering if it will still be possible to go to law school with a science undergraduate degree. If you can weigh in on this as well, I’m sure the student would really appreciate your input. Thanks so much!
Alexandra Carpenter, Admin
Devon Grant
Attorney
4
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Devon’s Answer
The thoroughness, preciseness and attention to detail you will learn as a Bioinformatics major are all valuable skills that can be applied in the legal profession. As previously mentioned, if you want to directly apply your your Bioinformatics knowledge, you can become a patent attorney. Although you will be obtaining a technical degree, you will have all the options any other law student has, plus you will have an additional option of becoming a patent attorney. Good luck at RIT!