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

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