Building information modeling laboratory exercises in a construction science and management building systems course

This paper presents the development of Building Information Modeling laboratory exercises focused on Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) Systems in buildings. These laboratory exercises were developed to help construction science and management students better visualize and understand building systems and their relationship with each other as well as with other building components such as structural and architectural element. A popular BIM package was used to model the systems from an existing plan set, allowing the students to develop practical modeling skills, while providing a better understanding of MEP plan sets and system layout fundamentals. The BIM exercises were not used to replace, but rather supplement, the existing course laboratory exercises. The paper also discusses the perceived benefits as well as the challenges of using BIM as part of the teaching process. In addition to presenting the instructor experiences, a discussion of the results and observations stemming from student surveys collected at the end of the course is included. The paper ends presenting future changes to the course organization, as well as improvements to the course laboratory BIM exercises, that the author feels are required to facilitate the inclusion of BIM into the course.