BIM-Enabled Virtual Design and
Construction Professional Diploma
Diploma Coordinator: Dr. Islam Mashaly
Professional Diploma Description
This professional diploma is designed for both emerging and practiced professionals who want to
master Building Information Modelling (BIM), a process that involves creating and managing
intelligent 3D models for construction projects. BIM enables better collaboration, coordination,
simulation, and optimization throughout the project life cycle.
The professional diploma consists of four core courses that cover the fundamentals, standards, and
implementation of BIM, as well as the practical skills of using BIM authoring software for
architectural, structural and MEP modelling. After completing the core courses, you can choose two
elective courses that focus on specific aspects of BIM such as coordination, facility management,
sustainability, or programming and automation.
By completing this diploma, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of BIM concepts and tools,
and how they can enhance your professional performance and career prospects in the architecture,
engineering and construction (AEC) industry.
Why Virtual Design and Construction (VDC)?
Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) is a broader and
more advanced application of BIM in the AEC industry.
VDC involves using BIM models to plan, design,
construct and operate buildings in a collaborative and
data-driven way. VDC also enables the creation of digital
twins, which are dynamic and real-time representations
of physical assets that can be used for monitoring,
optimization, and decision-making.
There is evidence that VDC adoption is increasing in the
AEC industry due to its benefits such as improved
quality, reduced costs, enhanced safety and increased
productivity.
AEC companies are starting to ask for VDC professionals more than just BIM professionals, as VDC
requires a higher level of skills and knowledge than BIM. VDC professionals need to be able to use
BIM models for planning, designing, constructing, and operating buildings in a collaborative and
data-driven way. They also need to be familiar with digital twin technology, which is a growing trend
in the AEC industry.
Diploma Courses
The professional diploma consists of four core courses that cover the fundamentals, standards and
implementation of BIM, as well as the practical skills of using BIM authoring software for architectural,
structural and MEP design. After completing the core courses, and to complete the diploma, you must
choose two of the elective courses that focus on specific aspects of BIM such as coordination,
management, sustainability, or programming.
VDC 001: BIM Fundamentals
Core Course
Description
This course introduces the basic principles and concepts of BIM, such as its definition, benefits,
applications, and lifecycle.
Outline
• What is BIM? • BIM Uses
• Project Phases • Open BIM vs Closed BIM
• Level of Development • BIM and Big data
• Information lifecycle • BIM intro to sustainability
• BIM Documents (EIR, BEP, AIR)
VDC 002: BIM Modelling Tool I: Basics
Core Course
Description
This course introduces you to the basics of Autodesk Revit, a powerful BIM Authoring tool for
Building Information Modelling (BIM). You will learn how to navigate the Revit workspace and
interface, work with basic sketching and modifying tools, create levels and grids as datum elements
for the model, understand Revit families and components, work with views and project browser.
Additionally, the course delves into the three main disciplines of architecture, structure, and MEP,
equipping you with the necessary skills to effectively navigate and utilize Revit's modelling tools
specific to each discipline. Whether you are an engineer or an architect or a project manager, this
holistic training approach promotes interdisciplinary coordination and prepares you for roles as BIM
managers or BIM coordinators, equipped with a comprehensive understanding of Autodesk Revit
and its significance within the broader BIM process.
Outline
Revit Common
• Datum & Families
• Modifying Tools
• Views & Openings
• Dimensions & Annotations
Revit Architecture Revit Structure Revit MEP
• Walls and Curtain • Structural Columns • Ducting & Piping
Walls & Framing • Fixtures & Systems
• Floors and Ceilings • Structural Walls &
• Stairs Floors
• Structural
Foundations
VDC 005: BIM Standards
Core Course – Prerequisite: VDC001
Description
This course covers the standards and guidelines that define BIM implementation in different
countries and regions, such as ISO 19650, UK BIM Framework.
It also explains how to use a Common Data Environment (CDE) to manage and share BIM data
among project stakeholders.
Outline
• Introduction to BIM Standards, BIM Levels, and Guidelines (Country Standards, Guidelines,
Specs)
• ISO 19650 1 to 5
• Common Data Environment (CDE) Tools
• Document Management Tools
• BIM in Projects (Protocol & IDM & BEP)
• LOD Specification
• BIM Execution Plan (BEP) development
VDC 006: BIM Modelling Tool II: Advanced
Core Course – Prerequisite: VDC002
Description
This course teaches you how to master advanced 3D modelling techniques in Revit as well as
interdisciplinary coordination between the different disciplines. You will learn how to create
families, detect clashes, generate schedules and take-offs, use phasing tools, create advanced views
and annotations.
Outline
Revit Common
• Families creation (Architecture, MEP, and Structure)
• Advanced Annotations
• Clash Detection
• Scheduling & Take-off
• Phasing
• Advanced Views
• Coordination (Work-sharing)
VDC 010: BIM Project Coordinator
Elective Course – Prerequisite: VDC006
Description
This course will teach you how to use Building Information Modelling (BIM) tools and processes to
coordinate multidisciplinary models and detect clashes. You will learn how to initiate, implement
and manage BIM projects.
Outline
• Introduction to Coordination • 4D Project Simulation
• Navisworks • BCF generation
• Clash Detection • BIM Collab
• Model Comparison
VDC 011: BIM Automation
Elective Course – Prerequisite: VDC006
Description
This course will teach you problem-solving and visual programming using Dynamo in and outside
Revit, automating modelling, design optimization, data manipulation, and tedious tasks. Gain Python
basics, Revit API skills, and insights into Git, GitHub, and language models like ChatGPT.
Outline
• Problem Solving
• Dynamo (Selection , Filtering, Parameters, Geometry , Advanced Filtering, Custom Nodes)
• Dynamo Outside Revit
• Basics of Python and applying on Excel Sheets
• Python custom code blocks in Dynamo & Basics of Revit API
• Git & Github
• Prompt Engineering for LLM AI (ChatGPT)
VDC 013: Sustainability in BIM
Elective Course – Prerequisite: VDC006
Description
This course will introduce you to sustainability concepts and practices in BIM. You will learn how to
use Revit tools such as Energy Analysis, Insight 360, Daylighting tool, Solar Analysis tool, PV
generation tool and HVAC analysis tool to evaluate and improve the energy efficiency, carbon
footprint and occupant comfort of your building models.
Outline
• Introduction to Sustainability • Daylighting
• Autodesk Forma • Solar Analysis & PV Generation
• Autodesk Insight • Carbon Analysis
• Energy Analysis
Under construction
VDC 012: Digital twins & Facility management
Elective Course – Prerequisite: VDC006
Description
This course will introduce you to the concept of digital twins, how to use BIM tools and processes to
create and manage digital twins for facility management. You will learn how to integrate data from
various sources such as sensors, IoT devices, databases & cloud services to enhance your digital
twins with real-time information.
Outline
• Facility management in BIM
• Life cycle assets management
• COBie file format
• Introduction to Digital twins
• IoT and sensor integration
• Tandem (Autodesk)
• Laser Scanning and Photogrammetry in BIM
