A Design-Directed “Architectural Design” Course for Civil Engineering CDIO Program

In year 2005, College of Engineering at Shantou University adopted the CDIO Initiative. Based on the CDIO education framework, a syllabus for “Architecture Design” course that is opened to sophomore has been drawn to replace the old one of “Building Construction”. The CDIO competencies are incorporated into the course conduct. Except the classroom teaching, as another important part, an assignment is reformed from previous individual design-task to a teamwork-design. It is processed in a way of proposal – discussion– design through both of teamwork and the class activities. When finds problem, amending design after discussion are required till to reach the task’s goal. The implementation process for this reformed Design-Directed Course is stated in the paper first. And then, the changes that of the new course transformed by CDIO approach are given. The impact of the practice to the ability, knowledge and personality are analysed by looking at the students’ work and progress. After the first run of the course, the achievements and flaws of the course are studied and the future improvements are proposed in this writing as well.