Building Information Management I

Course Description

ETD2397C – Building Information Management I is a combined lecture and laboratory course introducing students to Building Information Modeling (BIM) concepts, workflows, and software within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. Students develop foundational skills in parametric 3D modeling using industry-standard BIM software—primarily Autodesk Revit—to create, manage, and document building models. Emphasis is placed on understanding BIM as an intelligent, data-rich 3D model-based process that supports design, construction documentation, coordination, and facility management throughout a project's lifecycle. This course is part of the Engineering Design Drafting program within Florida's Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) taxonomy.

Learning Outcomes

Required Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define Building Information Modeling (BIM) and explain its role and benefits in the AEC industry, including how it differs from traditional 2D CAD drafting workflows.
• Navigate the Autodesk Revit user interface, including ribbons, browsers, view controls, and project templates.
• Create and modify parametric building elements including walls, floors, roofs, ceilings, doors, and windows within a Revit project environment.
• Develop architectural floor plans, building sections, elevations, and 3D views from a single coordinated BIM model.
• Apply dimensions, annotations, tags, and text to produce construction-quality documentation sheets.
• Generate and manage schedules and material takeoffs directly from the building model.
• Set up and manage project levels, grids, and datum elements to maintain model integrity and coordination.
• Organize and produce a complete construction document set (sheet set) from a Revit project, including title blocks and sheet organization.
• Describe the role of BIM across the project lifecycle—from planning and design through construction and facility management.
• Apply BIM industry standards and best practices, including proper file naming conventions, model organization, and LOD (Level of Development) concepts.

Optional Learning Outcomes

The following outcomes may be covered depending on the institution and instructor:

• Introduce Revit families—both system families and loadable families—and perform basic family customization.
• Demonstrate basic site modeling including toposurface creation and building pad placement.
• Apply rendering and visualization techniques within Revit, including material assignment and camera views.
• Explore linked models and worksharing concepts (Revit Collaborate) for multi-discipline coordination.
• Introduce MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) systems modeling concepts within a Revit architectural model.
• Perform basic clash detection concepts using model review tools.
• Export Revit models to IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) or other interoperable formats for multi-platform collaboration.
• Introduce 4D and 5D BIM concepts—linking the model to construction scheduling and cost estimation.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Introduction to BIM Concepts: Definition and history of BIM; comparison with traditional 2D CAD; BIM ecosystem and stakeholders; project lifecycle overview; AEC industry roles using BIM.
• Autodesk Revit Interface and Navigation: Application menu; ribbon and tabs; Quick Access Toolbar; Project Browser; Properties palette; view navigation and display controls; keyboard shortcuts.
• Project Setup and Templates: Starting a new project; selecting and customizing project templates; setting up project units; establishing levels and grids.
• Architectural Modeling – Basic Elements: Creating and editing walls (basic, compound, stacked); inserting doors and windows; creating floors; adding ceilings; modeling roofs (flat, sloped, complex).
• Vertical Circulation: Stairs, ramps, and railings; elevator and shaft creation; guardrails and handrails.
• Views and View Management: Creating floor plan, ceiling plan, elevation, section, callout, and 3D views; view range settings; visibility/graphics overrides; view templates.
• Annotation and Documentation: Adding dimensions (aligned, angular, radial); text and notes; tags and symbols; keynotes; room and space tagging; leaders.
• Schedules and Quantity Takeoffs: Creating room schedules, door/window schedules, and material quantity schedules; formatting and exporting schedule data.
• Sheet Composition and Plotting: Creating and organizing drawing sheets; placing views on sheets; editing title blocks; setting print/export settings; producing PDFs and DWG exports.
• BIM Standards and Project Workflow: File management; naming conventions; Level of Development (LOD); BIM Execution Plan concepts; collaboration basics.

Optional Topics

• Revit Families: Introduction to system families vs. loadable families; loading families from the Autodesk library; basic in-place family creation.
• Site and Civil Features: Topography (toposurface); building pad; property lines; parking components; site plans.
• Rendering and Visualization: Applying materials and textures; setting up cameras and walkthroughs; rendering in Revit and cloud rendering via Autodesk Docs.
• Worksharing and Collaboration: Introduction to central and local files; worksets; BIM 360 / Autodesk Construction Cloud basics.
• MEP Systems Overview: Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems awareness within an architectural Revit model; coordination concepts.
• Interoperability: Exporting to IFC, DWG, and other formats; linking CAD files; Revit-to-Navisworks workflow overview.
• 4D/5D BIM Concepts: Linking model elements to project schedules; introduction to cost estimation from model data.

Resources & Tools

• Primary Software: Autodesk Revit (current academic release) – available free to students via Autodesk Education Community at autodesk.com/education
• Supplemental Software: Autodesk AutoCAD (for reference drawings and DWG imports); Autodesk Navisworks Manage (optional, for clash detection); Autodesk Docs / BIM 360 (cloud collaboration)
• Common Textbooks: Autodesk Revit Architecture: No Experience Required (current edition); Design Integration Using Autodesk Revit by Daniel Stine; Building Construction Illustrated by Francis D.K. Ching (reference)
• Online Resources: Autodesk Knowledge Network; Autodesk Revit Learning Path (Autodesk University); LinkedIn Learning (Revit Essential Training); YouTube tutorials by Autodesk and BIM professionals
• Hardware: Desktop or laptop meeting Autodesk Revit minimum specifications; mouse with scroll wheel strongly recommended; large monitor or dual-monitor setup beneficial for lab work
• Standards Reference: National BIM Standard – United States (NBIMS-US); AGC BIM Education Program materials; AIA BIM Protocol documentation

Career Pathways

Completion of ETD2397C provides foundational BIM skills applicable to a wide range of AEC careers. Students who continue through the Engineering Design Drafting A.S. program and complete BIM coursework are prepared for the following entry-level and mid-level positions:

• BIM Technician / BIM Modeler – Create and maintain Revit models for architectural and engineering firms
• Architectural Drafter / CAD Technician – Produce construction documents using BIM software
• Construction Document Specialist – Coordinate and manage drawing sets for general contractors
• BIM Coordinator – (with experience) Manage model coordination and clash detection across disciplines
• Facility Manager / Building Information Manager – Maintain as-built BIM data for building operations
• Design Technologist – Support architectural and engineering design teams with BIM tools and workflows
• Interior Designer / Space Planner – Use BIM tools for interior layout, space management, and documentation

This course also supports career pathways in civil engineering technology, construction management, MEP design, and urban planning, where BIM competency is increasingly required by employers across Florida and nationally.

Special Information

Certification Preparation

ETD2397C provides direct preparation for the Autodesk Certified User (ACU) – Revit credential and partial preparation for the Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) – Revit for Architectural Design exam. Students are encouraged to pursue Autodesk certification upon completing the BIM I and BIM II sequence. The Autodesk certification exams are administered through Pearson VUE testing centers, including locations throughout Florida.

Additionally, coursework supports the foundational knowledge required for the AGC Certificate of Management – Building Information Modeling (CM-BIM), administered by the Associated General Contractors of America, which is recognized industry-wide as a professional credential for BIM practitioners in construction management.

Industry Alignment

This course aligns with industry demand across Florida's growing construction and real estate development sectors. BIM adoption is increasingly mandated on public and commercial projects, making Revit proficiency a critical employability skill for all AEC professionals. Students completing this course and its companion courses may also satisfy technical elective requirements within A.S. degree programs in Construction Management Technology (BCT), Civil Engineering Technology, and related fields.