Construction Information Systems
University of Florida – Rinker School of Construction Management
BCN 6785 · Graduate · Spring 2025 · 20+ students
Overview
The course introduces Building Information Modeling (BIM), Virtual Design and Construction (VDC), and digital technologies for construction management, with a focus on their application to project planning, coordination, and information management.
Students begin with construction documents and develop multidisciplinary BIM models covering architectural, structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and fire protection systems. The course then moves into BIM Execution Planning, cloud-based collaboration with Autodesk Construction Cloud, model coordination, and clash detection using Navisworks Manage.
BIM is also applied to quantity takeoff, construction scheduling, 4D simulation, and visualization, using tools including Revit, cmBuilder, and Twinmotion. The course concludes with an introduction to laser scanning, point clouds, photogrammetry, unmanned aerial systems, virtual and augmented reality, and generative design as emerging VDC technologies.
Through lectures, software demonstrations, hands-on assignments, and a collaborative semester-long project, students integrate these workflows to develop, coordinate, analyze, and communicate digital construction models and project information.
Course Objectives
Students learn to:
- Create functional 3D BIM models with embedded information from construction documentation.
- Develop and manage a BIM Execution Plan and related project information.
- Evaluate model quality and reporting accuracy.
- Generate schedules and material takeoffs from building information models.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary models and resolve clashes through coordination workflows.
- Visualize and communicate construction concepts using 2D and 3D applications.
- Apply multidimensional BIM to construction planning and problem solving.
- Link construction schedules with BIM models to create 4D simulations and communicate construction processes.