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Unit of study_

DESC9674: Building Information Management

Semester 2, 2023 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit will introduce students to the theory and practice of building information management and modelling. The unit starts with building management, which brings knowledge and skill on how to operate buildings to optimise performance. It also introduces Building Information Modelling (BIM), which is a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. Building information models are shared knowledge resources about a facility, forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life-cycle from earliest conception to demolition. The unit explores the wider use of building information models not only in design but also in construction management, facility management, post construction evaluation, and retrofitting. By bringing together the building management and the information modelling, the unit responds to emergent requirements within the building sector for new tools and practices to offset the growing complexity in the design and construction of high performance buildings.

Unit details and rules

Unit code DESC9674
Academic unit Architectural and Design Science
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
DESC9200 and DESC9014
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Chirag Deb, chirag.deb@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment BIM Execution Plan
Design and report
40% Week 07
Due date: 11 Sep 2023 at 23:59
3000 words max.
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO1
Assignment Revit model
Design and simulation
60% Week 13
Due date: 30 Oct 2023 at 23:59
1000 word
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Assessment summary

Assignment 1:

BIM Execution Plan: The student will develop a BIM Execution Plan (BEP) for a certain building type. The BEP will provide a framework that will let the owner, architect, engineers, and construction managers to deploy BIM technology and best practices faster and cost-effectively. The BEP will be structured into several sections and will be evaluated in terms of its content, organisation, clarity, and accuracy.

 

Assignment 2:

Revit modelling: The student will develop a Revit model for a residential building including the building’s architectural and structural elements, the Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) systems and the building’s site and landscape elements.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (Schedule 1).

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Work submitted after the deadline will incur a penalty of 5% of the total marks earned for the assessment per calendar day. Work submitted 20 calendar days or more after the deadline will not be assessed and will receive a mark of zero.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 02 1. Unit introduction; 2. Introduction to BIM; 3. Introduction to Assignment 1 Lecture (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
1. Introduction to Revit 2022 Tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 05 1. BIM in the real world; 2. Collaboration in BIM; 3. BIM for architects and engineers. Lecture (7 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 06 1. 3D modelling; 2. Render view setups; 3. Parametric data input; 4. Elemental construction detailing; 5. Introduction to Assignment 2 Tutorial (7 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 07 1. BIM standards; 2. BIM Level of Definition; 3. Digital model authoring. Lecture (7 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 1. Advanced 3D modelling; 2. Render view setups; 3. Parametric data input; 4. Elemental construction detailing. Tutorial (7 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Please refer to the Resolutions of the University School: 

University of Sydney School of Architecture Design and Planning Faculty Resolutions 2022.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. apply knowledge of BIM workflows into real-world practices
  • LO2. use Revit and interoperate outputs with other software
  • LO3. apply knowledge of digital tools into real-world practice
  • LO4. demonstrate an understanding of emerging technologies and future trends
  • LO5. apply skills of modelling to evaluate sustainable design proposals
  • LO6. present and report outcomes of design analysis.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The curriculum was adjusted significantly in 2020, however is kept in similar structure since then. There have been some minor adjustments as both the coordinator and casual teacher for this unit has changed this year. The changes have been in line with the student feedback.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.