Programme Aims
BIM technologies and processes are developing rapidly in a global market. Benefits derived from BIM are positively influencing design and construction to the point that governments, including the Irish Government, are now increasingly mandating the use of BIM in public procurement procedures. The developing areas of collaboration through BIM and associated advances in cloud computing are facilitating the rapid transformation of the design and construction industry. Irish design and construction firms seeking a competitive edge both home and abroad, require access to staff whose skillsets at various levels allow them to play an active part in collaborating on modern construction projects.
The MSc in Applied Building information Modelling Management (aBIMM) is a multi-disciplinary programme which is open to graduates of building design and construction-related programmes, including architects, engineers, surveyors, architectural technologists, and construction and facilities managers. The programme is managed in the School of Multidisciplinary Technologies (SMDT) but is delivered by the complete range of domain-specific BIM experts in the College of Engineering and Built Environment. The Head of School of SMDT is a chartered geomatics surveyor, the Assistant Head of School and programme chair is a chartered construction manager, and the year tutors are architects, project managers, architectural technologists and M&E specialists. This evidences the multidisciplinary nature of the delivery.
The programme aims to provide an educational setting in which to develop the ability to initiate and lead the holistic and integrated process of design, construction, and life-cycle management through the medium of BIM, centred on the collaborative and multi-disciplinary building design process. It will provide experienced built environment professionals and recent Level 8 graduates with an additional skill set centred on Building Information Modelling & Management which will enable employment as BIM professionals in building design practices and the construction industry
Programme Philosophy
The philosophy of the MSc in aBIMM suite is articulated by the following belief and value statements:
Teaching, learning, and assessment are practice based:
o The nature of collaborative digital construction is practical, therefore teaching focuses on the development of practical skills, underpinned by appropriate theoretical knowledge.
o Learning activities are focused, particularly after stage 1, on problem-solving and the development of independent thought.
o In stage 3, assessment focuses on the ability of students to adapt research and apply it into different contexts.
o No closed book written examinations are used on the programme as these skills do not align with the roles for which graduates are being prepared.
Students develop individual skills and apply them collaboratively:
o The programme is structured around developing each individual’s technology-focussed BIM skills, as appropriate to their background and role, before applying these into increasingly complex collaborative contexts.
Digital and “open” interactions and outputs:
o Printing requirements for the programme are minimal or non-existent.
o All learning and teaching materials (lecture notes, data files, reference sources, etc.), assessment briefs, and student submissions are digital.
o Annual and Capstone handbooks are digital and ePortfolios are produced for end-of-year assessment by internal and external examiners as well as for graduates to utilise externally.
o File sharing is undertaken, where possible, using “Open” or industry-standard formats.
Up-to-datedness of content, resources, and outputs are of highest priority:
o Module content and reading lists are reviewed annually and collaboratively by the Programme Team. Modules or content that no longer meets market requirements are removed, and new content is added to address identified skills deficits.
o Students are required to align their MSc Capstone Experience topics with latest trends and influences in the market.
o Upon commencement, students are familiarised with the sources from which up-to-date materials, software, debates, peer-reviewed works, and practice-based examples can be located. These sources are highlighted multiple times each year across all modules and students are required to demonstrate usage of same in their submitted assignments.
o TU Dublin is an active member of CitA, an organisation with a mission “to actively encourage the Irish Construction sector to take full advantage of current and emerging Information and Communications Technologies”, and staff are active individual members of professional organisations such as the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, the Chartered Institute of Building, the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland, and Engineers Ireland. All of these activities bring the latest knowledge and resources to students on the programme;
TU Dublin has partnerships and collaborative arrangements with software and hardware suppliers such as Autodesk, Topcon, Solibri, CostX, Buildsoft, iConstruct., MagiCad and IES to ensure access for students to current technologies.
Student Commitment to the Programme
To successfully complete a part-time MSc, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate programme, during the academic year students should reserve a minimum of 12 hours per week for programme-related activities. Typically a number of hours will be spent in scheduled class activities (normally 6 hours per week) and the remaining hours will be spent in self-directed learning and carrying out project work.
To facilitate students already in employment, attendance in college will generally take place from 18.00 - 21.00 on weekdays. All other learning can be achieved remotely and online through the resources detailed in the Accommodation & Facilities Section of the School Handbook. At present, due to Government regulations around Covid 19 we will deliver classroom based teaching hours through online learning. For further information on TU Dublin’s Covid Policies please click here
With the exception of a limited number of modules, assessment is based on coursework and continuous assessment and there are no mid- or end-of-term examinations. Assignments typically fall due mid-module and/or within 1-2 weeks of the end of the module. As the modules are typically delivered over 4 or 8 blocks this means that the requirement to deliver on self-directed learning is almost continuous.
This factor must be built into your planning for completion of the programme as deadlines for submission will be strictly enforced. See section for penalites for late submissions and associated procedures.
Late submissions of assignment are only allowed with the permission of the relevant lecturer and the submission of the TU Dublin's Personal Circumstances 1 form.
Pressure of work is not a valid reason for use of a Personal Circumstances Form. Details of valid cases for extensions / exceptional consideration are provided on the above form.