Texas A&M University ARCH 653

Building Information Modeling in Architecture. (3-0). Credit 3. Building Information Modeling (BIM); principles, methods and applications in the building lifecycle with a focus on the design process; includes computer-aided design, parametric modeling, databases, web technologies, design performance simulation and visualization.

At the end of the course students should gain knowledge of architectural computing methods centered at Building Information Modeling that they can apply in design studios, thesis work, research, and professional practice. Students should gain knowledge of basic and advanced Building Information Modeling technologies that can be used to model and retrieve building information in the building lifecycle from design to facility management.

The objectives of this course will be pursued by means of theoretical lectures, readings, practical exercises that address a given set of instructional targets, and projects.

To stimulate the acquisition of fundamental knowledge in the domain of Building Information Modeling.
To offer opportunities for training on the use of computing resources at both basic and advanced levels

The course will include the following components:

Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
Building Information Modeling
Parametric modeling
Information access using visual programming
Generative AI and BIM
Simulation and visualization
Applications

A timetable can be found in Lectures link on the left navigation area. The timetable may change in response to unforeseen pedagogic or logistic factors.

Grading will be based on performance on a set of quizzes, homework assignments, projects, and class participation using the following percentage distribution:

Quizzes: 8%
Class Participation: 4%
Projects (including Homework assignments): 88%

The final grade will be given by a letter based on weighted average points. Points and letters will be given by the following evaluation:

Letter grade	Point grade (max 100)	Quality of work
A	points>=90	Exceptional work, above standards
B	90>points>=80	Satisfactory work, meet standards
C	80>points>=70	Unsatisfactory work, below standards
D	70>points>=60	Deficient work
F	points<60	Failure, course needs to be repeated

Assessment grading will be based on the quality of the final product (defined as the relationship between assignment objectives and results), the quality of the procedural narratives (description of the procedure used during the assignment), workload, and class participation.

Requirements of assignments, assignment weights, and due days can be found in Assignments link on the left navigation area.

Please note:

All assignments should be individually developed, except those noted as "team" assignments.
Assignments normally due weekly.
Homework assignments during a project period will consist part of the project grade.
A project is given 90/100 as a basis for “Satisfactory work, meet standards”. Based on project requirements, errors will cause reduction of points and extra/exceptional work is awarded with extra points.
Except in the event of a University excused absence, late submissions will be penalized 5 points for each 24 hour period late.
The University views class attendance as the responsibility of an individual student. Attendance is essential to complete the course successfully. University rules related to excused and unexcused absences are located on-line at http://student-rules.tamu.edu/rule07.
The class participation grade is the instructor's subjective judgment of student performance. He will take into account such things as attendance and preparation for class as evidenced by informed classroom discussion.

Focus on the application tutorials, homework, and projects. Learn the theories behind the applications. Don't miss any tutorials or any part of a tutorial. All tutorials are important for completing the projects. The tutorials are designed not only to let you master the fundamental knowledge of computer applications, but also to introduce you systematic methods of design computing and BIM.

University Policies

Attendance Policy

The university views class attendance and participation as an individual student responsibility. Students are expected to attend class and to complete all assignments.

Please refer to Student Rule 7 in its entirety for information about excused absences, including definitions, and related documentation and timelines.

Makeup Work Policy

Students will be excused from attending class on the day of a graded activity or when attendance contributes to a student’s grade, for the reasons stated in Student Rule 7, or other reason deemed appropriate by the instructor.

Please refer to Student Rule 7 in its entirety for information about makeup work, including definitions, and related documentation and timelines.

Absences related to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 may necessitate a period of more than 30 days for make-up work, and the timeframe for make-up work should be agreed upon by the student and instructor” (Student Rule 7, Section 7.4.1).

“The instructor is under no obligation to provide an opportunity for the student to make up work missed because of an unexcused absence” (Student Rule 7, Section 7.4.2).

Students who request an excused absence are expected to uphold the Aggie Honor Code and Student Conduct Code. (See Student Rule 24.)

Academic Integrity Statement and Policy

“Texas A&M University students are responsible for authenticating all work submitted to an instructor. If asked, students must be able to produce proof that the item submitted is indeed the work of that student. Students must keep appropriate records at all times. The inability to authenticate one’s work, should the instructor request it, may be sufficient grounds to initiate an academic misconduct case” (Section 20.1.2.3, Student Rule 20).

You can learn more about the Aggie Honor System Office Rules and Procedures, academic integrity, and your rights and responsibilities at aggiehonor.tamu.edu.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy

Texas A&M University is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all students. If you experience barriers to your education due to a disability or think you may have a disability, please contact the Disability Resources office on your campus (resources listed below) Disabilities may include, but are not limited to attentional, learning, mental health, sensory, physical, or chronic health conditions. All students are encouraged to discuss their disability related needs with Disability Resources and their instructors as soon as possible.

Texas A&M at College Station
Disability Resources is located in the Student Services Building or at (979) 845-1637 or visit disability.tamu.edu.

Title IX and Statement on Limits to Confidentiality

Texas A&M University is committed to fostering a learning environment that is safe and productive for all. University policies and federal and state laws prohibit gender-based discrimination and sexual harassment, including sexual assault, sexual exploitation, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

With the exception of some medical and mental health providers, all university employees (including full and part-time faculty, staff, paid graduate assistants, student workers, etc.) are Mandatory Reporters and must report to the Title IX Office if the employee experiences, observes, or becomes aware of an incident that meets the following conditions (see University Rule 08.01.01.M1):

Mandatory Reporters must file a report regardless of how the information comes to their attention – including but not limited to face-to-face conversations, a written class assignment or paper, class discussion, email, text, or social media post. Although Mandatory Reporters must file a report, in most instances, you will be able to control how the report is handled, including whether or not to pursue a formal investigation. The University’s goal is to make sure you are aware of the range of options available to you and to ensure access to the resources you need.

Texas A&M at College Station
Students wishing to discuss concerns related to mental and/or physical health in a confidential setting are encouraged to make an appointment with University Health Services or download the TELUS Health Student Support app for 24/7 access to professional counseling in multiple languages. Walk-in services for urgent, non-emergency needs are available during normal business hours at University Health Services locations; call 979.458.4584 for details.

Students can learn more about filing a report, accessing supportive resources, and navigating the Title IX investigation and resolution process on the University’s Title IX webpage.

Statement on Mental Health and Wellness

Texas A&M University recognizes that mental health and wellness are critical factors influencing a student’s academic success and overall wellbeing. Students are encouraged to engage in healthy self-care practices by utilizing the resources and services available through University Health Services. Students needing a listening ear can call the Texas A&M Helpline (979.845.2700) from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. weekdays and 24 hours on weekends for mental health peer support while classes are in session. The TELUS Health Student Support app provides access to professional counseling in multiple languages anytime, anywhere by phone or chat, and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers 24-hour emergency support at 988 or 988lifeline.org.

Texas A&M College Station
Students needing a listening ear can contact University Health Services (979.458.4584) or call the Texas A&M Helpline (979.845.2700) from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. weekdays and 24 hours on weekends while classes are in session. 24-hour emergency help is also available through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988) or at 988lifeline.org.

Course Policies

The TAMU student rules (http://student-rules.tamu.edu/), Part I Rule 20 (about Academic Misconduct) will be strictly enforced.

For individual work, students should not provide to other students any kind of personal digital file related to the development of the assignments. Drawing, modeling, animation files (.rvt, .rfa, dxf, .mdb, .accdb, dwg, .dwf, .psd, .jpg, .gif, .avi, etc) among others, that are created in the context of the class are personal property and should not be shared with other students of the same section or among sections. Plagiarism applies to all kinds of digital files and to all related content (i.e. models, images, drawings, the narrative of the procedure for an assignment, etc). You are committing plagiarism if you use or copy the work of another person and turn it as your own, even if you have permission of that person.

An indicator of appropriate help you may receive is that the help really helps you learn - when you complete the homework/project you can redo it without any help.

Transfer of homework/project models, source code and resulting product files is not allowed. Sharing of model templates that are not provided by the instructor is not allowed. Individual assignment must be completed individually.

Modeling projects may contain families from other resources, but appropriate references and credits must be given in the documentation AND blogs.

AI Usage Policy: Guidelines and Disclosure

In this course, AI and Generative AI are new topics that we will learn to integrate into and enhance the BIM process (including computational processes of modeling, simulation, visualizaiton, and optimization). We will make it clear when AI is going be part of the requirements in an assignment. For a modeling process without a stated AI component in an assignment, it is assumed that Generative AI is not allowed to be used in that assignment.

For any writing part of an assignment, we have the following specific policy:

You are encouraged to exercise your own writing skills, because it is essential for a researcher or designer to be able to communicate their research and design using their own critical thinking, wording, and phrasing. In the meantime, we recognize the rapidly evolving landscape of AI technology and its role in academic research, design, and writing. We believe that AI tools, when used ethically and responsibly, can enhance the research and design process, stimulate creative thinking, and aid in the articulation of complex ideas.

If you choose to utilize generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT) to assist your writing in an assignment, you should learn how to use the tools, and you must disclose the use of the AI tools by including the following disclosure statement at the end of the writing assignment document:

"I have utilized an AI tool in writing this assignment. Specifically, I used [Name/Type of AI Tool] to [specifically describe how you used the tool, e.g., "generate ideas," "assist with phrasing," "provide data," etc. with details]. I understand that I am fully responsible for the content generated and its incorporation into my answers. All final thoughts, arguments, and conclusions are my own responsibilities."

Note that AI can generate authoritative-sounding output that can be incorrect or biased, and fake references/citations. You should carefully review, check the facts, and edit the result. In other words, when using AI for your writing, make sure to (1) avoid incorrect information through careful review, and (2) avoid plagiarism (intentional and unintentional), through giving appropriate credits or citations to other people's work.

Please save the raw materials generated from using the AI tools (e.g., your prompts and chats with AI) and store them with you for future reference.

It is essential that the use of AI tools does not compromise the authenticity and originality of student work. As such, transparency is crucial. Failure to disclose the use of AI tools while they have been used in the assignment will be considered a breach of academic integrity. It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that the content they submit adheres to the standards and guidelines set by Texas A&M University.

This disclosure does not apply to the use of basic writing tools for checking grammar and spelling, and citation tools for including references, for which you don’t need to disclose.

If you are not sure whether a tool you used will be categorized as a generative AI tool, you may consult Dr. Wei Yan (wyan@tamu.edu). Alternatively, you can always disclose the tool and how you used it in the assignment (similar to the above AI tool disclosure).

For the AI components in the modeling process, specific disclosures will be required in the assignment.