"Intelligent Construction" Program – Designed for Your Future

l Doctoral Degree Authorization Point in Civil and Hydraulic Engineering

l BIM and Digital Twin

l Smart Construction Site Technology

l Application of Construction Robotics

l Intelligent Operation and Maintenance of Infrastructure

1. Who We Are

The Intelligent Construction program (Program Code: 081008T) is an innovative interdisciplinary program established under China’s "New Engineering" strategic initiative. Guided by the core values of "Smart Empowerment, Green Development, Collaborative Innovation, and Safety Assurance," the program focuses on building a digital management system for the entire lifecycle of construction. By systematically integrating next-generation information technologies such as BIM (Building Information Modeling), digital twins, and the Internet of Things (IoT), and innovatively merging cutting-edge technologies like construction robotics, big data analytics, and AI algorithms, we aim to build an intelligent construction ecosystem that spans the entire chain of "Smart Design – Intelligent Construction – Automated Operation & Maintenance – Decision Optimization."

From the majestic stone backbone of the Great Wall to the cross-sea marvel of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge; from the engineering epic of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway traversing snowy plateaus to the speed emblem of the Shanghai-Kunming High-Speed Rail crossing mountains and rivers, civil engineering has always been a tangible chronicle of human civilization. As digital transformation sweeps the globe, intelligent construction is reshaping the very DNA of the construction industry:

Digital twin platforms built with BIM technology enable multi-dimensional simulation and analysis of engineering solutions.

Smart monitoring systems composed of drones and sensor networks turn construction sites into real-time digital twins.

Swarms of construction robots propel prefabricated construction and 3D printing onto the fast track of industrialization.

Big data models based on machine learning establish a three-dimensional decision-making framework for cost, schedule, and risk management.

In response to the demands of China’s "New Infrastructure" strategy, including 5G networks, supercomputing data centers, and ultra-high-voltage power transmission, as well as urban renewal, underground utility tunnels, resilient sponge cities, and smart rural development, the Intelligent Construction program is committed to cultivating innovative talents who possess both digital thinking and engineering wisdom. Graduates will be equipped with core competencies such as building smart construction digital platforms, developing digital operation maintenance, and intelligent decision-making systems. They will be prepared to serve as technical and managerial leaders in national major projects, international EPC projects, and smart city initiatives.

Choosing Intelligent Construction means choosing to become a digital craftsman in the future construction revolution. Here, you will decode the mechanical secrets within digital twin models and preview the future on construction sites where virtual and physical worlds converge. You will command fleets of intelligent construction robots, achieving millimeter-level precision on-site. Let us join hands to draw skylines with intelligence, safeguard security with innovation, and together build safer, more efficient, and more resilient smart spaces and living environments—writing a magnificent chapter in the era of intelligent construction. 

2. What We Study

The educational approach and curriculum of the Intelligent Construction program are as follows:

2.1 Educational Philosophy

Adhering to the principle of "Solid Foundation, Strong Technical Skills, Emphasis on Practice, and Innovation Capability," the program integrates three major disciplines: civil engineering, mechanics, and information technology. It strengthens the foundation in BIM and digital twin technologies, incorporates training in intelligent robotics and automated construction, and establishes a practical platform of a "Digital Workshop for Intelligent Construction" that links virtual and physical systems. Through a combination of on-campus simulation training and off-campus engineering internships, the program aims to cultivate high-quality, interdisciplinary professionals in intelligent construction with international perspectives, engineering ethics, and social responsibility.

2.2 Focus Areas

Digital Design and Virtual Simulation:

Utilize BIM and digital twin technologies to achieve optimized design, schedule and cost simulation, and full-process solutions for intelligent operation and maintenance. Employ AR/VR/XR technologies for immersive design, construction, and review training.

Smart Construction Sites and Automated Construction:

Deploy IoT sensors, drones, and construction robot clusters to form smart construction site networks. Apply construction robots, 3D-printed building units, and modular assembly systems to achieve high-precision, high-efficiency industrialized construction.

Engineering Big Data and Intelligent Decision-Making:

Use big data, machine learning, and operational optimization models for online analysis and prediction of key indicators such as schedule, quality, safety, and cost. Develop digital decision support systems to enhance project control accuracy and response speed.

Facility Operation, Maintenance, and Smart Management:

Build digital twin-based operation and maintenance platforms to monitor structural health and equipment performance in real time. Integrate AI diagnostics and predictive maintenance technologies to extend facility lifespan and reduce maintenance costs.

These focus areas are deeply aligned with national strategies such as "Smart Cities," "New Infrastructure and Zero-Carbon Cities," and "Transportation Power," providing students with multi-dimensional specialization options and practical platforms, and forming a closed-loop, industry-education integration model that connects strategic needs, technological innovation, and industrial application.

2.3 Educational Objectives

Rooted in Jiangxi and serving the nation, the program aims to meet the intelligent transformation and upgrading needs of the construction industry. It strives to cultivate interdisciplinary engineering talents with solid theoretical foundations in civil engineering, applied intelligent construction technical capabilities, national pride, innovative thinking, and international competitiveness. Graduates will systematically master core knowledge across the entire industry chain, including intelligent planning, digital design, smart construction, and intelligent operation and maintenance. Through practical training in BIM application, intelligent equipment operation, and engineering big data analysis, they will develop professional abilities to solve complex engineering problems. Additionally, they will possess firm political conviction, strong professional ethics, and interdisciplinary collaboration skills, enabling them to engage in intelligent planning and design, smart construction, intelligent maintenance, and management in infrastructure sectors such as building construction, roads and bridges, and underground engineering.

2.4 Curriculum

General Education Courses:

College English, Python Programming, Advanced Mathematics, Introduction to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Basic Principles of Marxism, etc.

Foundation Courses:

College Physics, College Chemistry, Engineering Mechanics, Linear Algebra, Probability and Mathematical Statistics, Engineering Mechanics Lab, etc.

Core Courses:

Engineering Drawing, Civil Engineering Materials, Intelligent Surveying, Prefabricated Concrete Structure Design, Computer Control Technology, Sensors and Information Fusion, Intelligent Operation and Maintenance Management of Civil Engineering, etc.

Elective Courses:

Intelligent Machinery and Robotics, Big Data and Cloud Computing Technology, Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, Neural Networks and Deep Learning, Data Structures and Algorithms, etc.

Additionally, students are encouraged to participate in discipline competitions such as the National College Student Competition on Industrialized Building and Smart Construction, National College Student Structural Design Competition, BIM Software Modeling Competition, and Green Building Skills Competition to enhance practical abilities and innovative competence. 

3. Future Prospects

3.1 Diverse Career Paths

Graduates enjoy broad employment opportunities and strong adaptability, with career prospects in the following areas:

Government departments in the construction sector for policy research and industry regulation.

Engineering consulting firms and design institutes for technical consultation and solution design.

Construction contractors and project supervision units for project management and quality control.

Smart construction technology companies and digital platform operators for R&D and system maintenance.

Enterprises in the green building industry chain for product development and application promotion.

Key positions include Intelligent Construction Engineer, BIM Lifecycle Manager, Digital Operation and Maintenance Engineer, R&D Innovation Lead, and Project Manager. Career development prospects are extensive, with clear advancement pathways and competitive salaries ranking among the top in the engineering field.

3.2 Further Education Opportunities

The Intelligent Construction program provides a bridge for students to pursue further studies in both academic research and industrial innovation. Leveraging platforms such as the Ministry of Education Engineering Research Center for Watershed Carbon Neutrality and the Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Civil Engineering Materials and Intelligent Construction, graduates can advance into emerging research areas like Intelligent Construction, Digital Civil Engineering, and Engineering Big Data at renowned domestic and international institutions. For academic pursuits, students can specialize in areas such as optimization of intelligent construction algorithms and path planning for construction robots, or expand into interdisciplinary fields like smart city management and low-carbon building technologies. In recent years, the college has established stable academic partnerships with internationally renowned institutions such as the University of New South Wales, the University of Melbourne's Centre for Smart Infrastructure, and Delft University of Technology, offering students diverse development pathways including joint training programs and short-term exchange opportunities.