Full integration of building information modelling education in civil engineering curricula: a proposal

• Published in: European journal of engineering education Vol. 47; no. 6; pp. 1278 - 1295
• Main Authors: Santos, José, Escórcio, Patrícia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 02.11.2022; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Assessment; BIM software; Building information modeling; Building management systems; Case Studies; Civil Engineering; Civil engineers; Colleges & universities; Computer Software; Construction (Process); Construction Management; Curricula; Curriculum Implementation; Desired outcomes; Engineering Education; Higher Education; Implementation; Integrated Curriculum; Interdisciplinary Approach; Learning Activities; Literature reviews; Modelling; Problem Based Learning; Student Projects; Subjects; Teaching Methods; Universities
• ISSN: 0304-3797; 1469-5898
• DOI: 10.1080/03043797.2022.2160307

Building Information Modelling (BIM) has changed the way many civil engineers organise and execute their job in recent years. Many universities around the world have been adapting their curricula to include BIM education. However, this adaptation has been incomplete, occurring only in a small number of subjects. To fill this gap, this paper presents a proposal for a full integration of BIM education into civil engineering curricula. Based on a literature review on BIM outcomes and their supporting knowledge, learning activities, BIM software, types of assessment, and civil engineering curricula, it was possible to define an alignment blueprint for all BIM-related subjects. It was concluded that (i) nearly 62% of civil engineering curricula is BIM-related; (ii) the main BIM outcomes are mostly common in all universities; (iii) activities such as problem-based learning, interdisciplinary projects, and case studies are recommended; and (iv) for a successful application, an implementation plan is required, including monitoring and improvements.