Student Experience

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3D Render of Modern Building Design and Environment.

The Building Information Modeling – Lifecycle Management (BIM-LM) Graduate Certificate is one of Canada’s first programs to specialize in the growing BIM field. The two-semester program has been recognized the Canada BIM Council (CanBIM) and buildingSMART Canada (bSC), and it offers a fast, effective way to increase your career options.

The BIM-LM program has been designed to respond to an industry need and includes innovative approaches to the delivery of a collaborative and multi-disciplinary education.

Featured on CTV Morning, Professor Kirk Stalkie introduced the program:

 

Who can take this program?

To qualify for the Building Information Modeling – Lifecycle Management program, you will need to meet the pre-requisites of a degree or diploma in a construction-related field, as well as proven experience with modeling and project delivery in a BIM authoring tool such as Autodesk Revit. Any additional experience using analysis or checking tools with BIM models would be an asset, but isn’t required.

About the program

The core of the BIM-LM program has been divided into 5 streams that flow down the lifecycle phases of any built asset:

  • Fundamentals
  • Tools & Technology
  • Workflow & Collaboration
  • Project Delivery & Deliverables
  • Standards & Guidelines

The program takes place both online and in class at the Ottawa Campus, and all of the professors are experienced industry practitioners who have specialized in BIM. Each semester finishes with a week-long “BIM Blitz” where all of the knowledge and skills that have been learned over the semester are experienced in an applied mock-up situation of a real-world project.

The small class size of the program allows students to form tight-knit working groups, developing exceptional communication, problem-solving and planning skills. The program is considered full-time and classes will take place on Monday, Thursday and Friday in the following format:

sample schedule

It is expected that students will spend approximately 21 hours per week in class time, including 11 of which will be applied in a lab setting.

 

Your Career

Modern Building DesignBuilding Information Modeling is a rapidly emerging field and new jobs are expected to be created as the field continues to evolve. Students can expect to work a broad variety of positions depending on their own personal interests, and have options within government (municipal, provincial or federal) or in industry.

Depending on previous background and experience in the industry, potential job titles include:

  • Building Information Modeling (BIM) Managers, $58,000 – $83,000 (source)
  • BIM / Construction Project Managers, $60,000 – $91,000 (source)
  • Building Information Modeling Coordinators, $51,000 – $63,000 (source)
  • Project Model Managers, $92,000 – $107,000 (source)
  • BIM Consultants (varies based on clients)
  • BIM Interoperability Specialists $80,000 – $90,000 (page 15, source)
  • BIM Applications Specialist $55,000 – $80,000 (page 15, source)
  • Virtual Design and Construction Managers (more info here)
  • Construction Information Managers (info here and here)
  • Lifecycle Information Managers,
  • BIM Project Leads

Industry Information

To learn more about the Building Information Modeling industry in Canada, please visit