Learning Outcomes

What Students Learn

Title

BSc (Hons) in BIM (Digital Construction)

Purpose

This award develops in the learner an ability to evaluate the correct utilisation a range of industry-standard software tools with relevant standards and guidance documents to co-ordinate digital construction processes between multiple disciplines. Learners develop the evaluation capability through discipline-specific and multidisciplinary guided, hands-on interaction, and through self-directed learning and reflection.

Level

8

Knowledge - breadth

An understanding of the theory, concepts, and methods pertaining to digital construction in a BIM (standards-based) environment. (Mapped to the learning outcomes below for 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10.)

Knowledge – kind

Detailed knowledge and understanding in discipline-specific and co-ordinating BIM technologies and their application in digital construction contexts. (Mapped to the learning outcomes below for 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10.)

Know-how and skill – range

• Demonstrate mastery of skills and tools relevant to their specialist engineering or construction area as well as how these contribute to multidisciplinary digital construction co-ordination. (Mapped to the learning outcomes below for 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10.)

• Utilise and modify these tools in industry contexts during work-based learning, internship, and dissertation activities. (Mapped to the learning outcomes below for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.)

Know-how and skill - selectivity

Exercise appropriate judgement in BIM Execution Planning, in digital design, and in technical BIM implementation via appropriate workflows, operations and processes. (Mapped to the learning outcomes below for 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10.)

Competence - context

• Use advanced skills to conduct construction–related discipline-specific or multidisciplinary research, or advanced technical or professional activity, accepting accountability for all related decision making. (Mapped to the learning outcomes below for 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10.)

• Transfer and apply diagnostic and creative skills in a range of digital construction contexts. (Mapped to the learning outcomes below for 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10.)

Competence - role

Act effectively under guidance in a peer relationship with qualified practitioners particularly within internship or work-based learning activities; lead multiple, complex and heterogeneous groups in the execution of multidisciplinary BIM co-ordination activities. (Mapped to the learning outcomes below for 4, 5, 7, 9, 10.)

Competence – learning to learn

• Learn to act in variable and unfamiliar learning contexts, particularly relating to disciplines outside of the learner's original specialisation; learn to manage learning tasks independently, professionally and ethically. (Mapped to the learning outcomes below for 4, 5, 6, 7.)

Competence - insight

Express a comprehensive, internalised, personal worldview manifesting solidarity with others and delivering successful digital construction co-ordination to the benefit of all stakeholders including clients, contractors, sub-contractors, and other specialists. (Mapped to the learning outcomes below for 5, 6, 7, 9, 10.)

Progression & Transfer

• As this programme is a one-year add-on, no transfer to a Higher Diploma (Award-type l) is defined.

• Learners who successfully complete this programme, subject to achieving appropriate grades, may progress to Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and Masters Degree programmes at TU Dublin and other locations, for example, the MSc in aBIMM suite.

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of the programme learners will be able to:

1. Create discipline-specific BIM models utilising industry-leading software and relevant standards.

2. Utilise appropriate BIM standards and guidance materials within appropriate workflows.

3. Co-ordinate BIM models between disciplines.

4. Determine effectiveness of processes & standards associated with BIM co-ordination.

5. Exploit BIM models for a range of co-ordination-, cost-, energy-, and design-related task and validate the outcomes.

6. Define the requirements for low energy building construction and interpret the outcomes of decisions around building materials and methods.

7. Evaluate the utilisation a range of digital and cloud-based technologies and tools to support multidisciplinary co-ordination and workflows.

Through optional modules, some learners will also be able to:

8. Create BIM objects (families);

9. Utilise BIM modelling software for the achievement of energy targets;

10. Evaluate the incorporation of other information sources into BIM models, e.g. point clouds, existing building surveys, and facilities management information.

Attributes of our Graduates

The programme team have designed the curriculum to align, where possible, with TU Dublin’s Graduate Attributes (link to DIT Graduate Attributes here).

To support students in developing TU Dublin’s Graduate Attributes, the programme team will liaise and synchronise with TU Dublin's support services, such as Careers, Academic Writing, and the Maths Learning Centre, as well as utilising our links with relevant Professional Bodies, organisations, and employers to deliver content, mostly in the form of workshops, to maximise the job-readiness of learners upon completion of the programme.

Professional development will be embedded meaningfully and from the outset of the programme both in support of those already in employment who are seeking to change role and those who are returning to work. For the latter group, the Programme Team will set up specific re-entry workshops with support from industry experts such as prospective employers and recruitment / flexible working service providers.

The Attributes we aim for students to develop are:

Enterprising:

Innovator - Leader - Collaborative Worker - Entrepreneur

BIM is, at its core, a collaborative activity and the skills developed in graduates will enable them to lead their teams towards a better way of working. The adoption of BIM, although commonplace in some contexts, is still innovative, particularly with SMEs, and graduates of this programme will be equipped with the skills required to drive the adoption of BIM in these settings.

Engaged:

Global Citizen - Ethical - Motivated Self Starter - Excellent Communicator

In alignment with the Competence and Knowledge & Skills requirements of the NFQ level 8 standard, students will be encouraged, supported, and enabled to become self-directed practitioners (as well as learners) and all modules include opportunities for development of visual, written and/or oral communication skills. Ethical exploitation of the information linked to BIM models will be considered and learners will be required to examine the global and social implications of their undertakings, particularly related to the Sustainable Development Goals and the needs of Ireland’s Climate Action Plan, as well as the technical outcomes.

Enquiry Based:

Critical Thinker - Problem Solver - Creator of New Knowledge - Decision Maker

Developing critical thought as an operational norm is a cornerstone of the programme. Across all modules, problems will be presented to learners that require them to develop solutions that build upon existing knowledge and that create new ideas based upon effective and informed decision-making.

Expert:

Disciplinary Knowledge - Reflective Practitioner - Work Based / Work Related Learner - Digitally Literate

Throughout all modules, but particularly the Work-Based Learning, Internship, and Dissertation modules, learners will reflect upon the implementation of their BIM knowledge, through the use of a range of digital information, within their field of disciplinary expertise. This will develop a cycle of Continuous Improvement (CI) that will maximise the learnings achieved throughout the programme and will prepare graduates for careers where CI is an operational norm[1]. The programme’s ongoing usage of an ePortfolio as a repository for reflection and outcomes supports development of this graduate attribute.

Effective:

Emotionally Intelligent - Active Team Player - Strategic Thinker - Resilient

Success on this programme will require significant commitment from each learner and they will need to demonstrate resilience and utilise strategic thinking to maximise returns from their efforts. Co-ordination in BIM is a team activity and the programme’s widespread usage of team undertakings will enable the development of emotional intelligence and skills to maximise this outcome.

[1] Lean Construction Ireland Institute http://www.leanconstructionireland.ie / Lean Construction Institute https://www.leanconstruction.org/