Integration of building information modeling into the undergraduate curriculum: case of Eastern Mediterranean University

Abstract

One of the essential requirements of construction education is to remain up to date and current. It is quite important for universities to adopt new technologies in construction education curriculum. Building Information Modelling (BIM) as a new technology and tool is one of the latest developments in construction industry. The function of BIM as an advantageous course and also an educational assistant in Civil Engineering education at universities is not completely understood to date. Many construction companies prefer to employ BIM enabled graduates nowadays. Thus the question is to what extent students are aware of BIM and are ready to begin learning such a new technology. In order to answer this question, a survey was conducted among different undergraduate students at Civil Engineering Department of Eastern Mediterranean University. Focus of the survey was on AutoCAD knowledge and students’ abilities together with their awareness of BIM. Adding BIM as a standalone course in the curriculum of the Civil Engineering Department was also studied. The outcomes of the survey proved students’ interest in integrating BIM as a separate course in undergraduate curriculum. Details of such an integration including how and when to consider BIM were also proposed. The authors suggest including BIM in the Civil Engineering undergraduate curriculum to have knowledgeable and up to date graduates while it is also recommended to be used as an educational assistant in other Civil Engineering courses.