Building information modeling: Systematic course development for undergraduate construction students

Abstract

The construction industry is actively adopting building information modeling (BIM) concepts and technologies to benefit from the resulting improved communication and productivity, better coordination of construction drawings, faster delivery, reduced costs, and safer construction jobsites. This requires construction professionals to understand how best to utilize BIM and to become proficient in the new and innovative skills involved. Consequently, construction and engineering programs need to introduce BIM courses that equip their students with the relevant BIM knowledge and skills and make them aware of potential BIM applications to prepare them for their future careers in the construction industry and to improve productivity. The main purpose of the research reported in this paper was therefore to develop a BIM course suitable for undergraduate construction and engineering programs using a systematic course-development approach consisting of three stages, as follows: (1) preparation, (2) development, and (3) improvement. The new BIM course will equip construction students with the knowledge and skills they need to utilize BIM effectively and understand the importance and applicability of BIM to construction projects, the potential opportunity of an integrated project delivery system, and the future directions of BIM in the construction industry. Construction students will also learn about the importance of collaborating with project stakeholders in addition to the benefits and issues inherent in BIM and its implementation. © 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.