Integration of BIM in Higher Education: Case Study of the Adoption of BIM into Coventry University's Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Building

In the context of Architecture, Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a design methodology which enables all of the design details, decisions and characteristics to be held within a collaborative digital representation and information package. The design and project information can then be shared, accessed and altered live, facilitating an efficient and fluid collaborative design and asset management process across the whole life cycle of a building. It is argued that BIM has many benefits for projects such as reducing waste, improving the efficiency and enhancing collaboration between different parties to a project which can lead to improved quality and also cost and time reductions. Government drive indicates that BIM skills and information sharing, protocols and processes are essential for improving efficiency of design and operational performance of buildings. It is therefore important that the principle of BIM is integrated into the training of future construction professionals. The aim of this paper is to outline the process that has been undertaken to integrate BIM within the undergraduate curriculum at Coventry University's Civil Engineering, Architecture and Building (CAB) department. A critical analysis of a case study construction engineering department has been carried out to inform the development of the strategy for integration of BIM within existing course structure. The case study offers a lesson on the adoption of BIM to enhance the student skills and understanding relevant to their professional disciplines.