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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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Kent’s Answer

I think a science degree is a great background to enter the law. I did an undergraduate and graduate degree in engineering before starting law school and found the science background was great for thinking critically and analyzing issues. While in law school, I did work analyzing issues related to environmental law (work was related to EPA settlements). A degree in molecular genetics would be great for understanding environmental ramifications, many environmental issues and the solution to them are based in science. After graduation, I decided to work for a research center practicing intellectual property law because I love the science as well as the law and intellectual property law allows me to keep up with the changes in both science and the legal field.
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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!
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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.
Thank you comment icon 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
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