BIM Integration in Civil Engineering Curricula: Maturity Assessment, Pilot Testing, and Roadmap Design

Abstract

The growing digitalization of the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry has increased the demand for graduates with strong BIM-related competencies, yet many undergraduate programs—particularly in emerging economies—still approach BIM in a fragmented and software-centered way. This study reports the development and implementation of a structured educational strategy for integrating building information modeling (BIM) into the civil engineering curriculum of a Brazilian public university. The intervention followed a four-phase process: (1) assessment of institutional BIM maturity using a customized 16-indicator matrix, which classified the program at the initial level ( MI = 37.5 % ); (2) curriculum mapping across 66 courses, revealing that 56.1% had potential for BIM integration; (3) pilot implementation in four core courses using project-based and team-based learning; and (4) creation of a long-term institutional roadmap aligned with national policies such as the Brazilian BIM Strategy. Survey results from 43 students indicated moderate to high satisfaction with the learning experience (mean scores between 3.84 and 4.35 on a 1–5 scale) and modest perceived gains in BIM conceptual understanding. Iterative refinements addressed gaps in digital literacy, assessment design, and faculty alignment. The proposed roadmap offers a replicable, evidence-based, and context-sensitive approach for institutions—particularly those in emerging-economy contexts, including but not limited to Latin America—seeking to scale BIM integration in engineering education.