A CDIO curriculum development in a civil engineering programme

A design-directed curriculum based on the CDIO (Conceive - Design - Implement - Operate) principles was proposed for the civil engineering programme in the College of Engineering at Shantou University in Shantou, China (for the class of 2006 and later). The proposed curriculum utilises design projects as vehicles to integrate all the courses. The main differences of the new curriculum from the original one are reported in the article. A fishbone diagram was developed to present the features of the new curriculum better with an emphasis on the design projects. The design projects specifications are introduced as well. It is indicated that the designed-directed CDIO curriculum puts students in a broad and active design environment where they learn and use engineering science, technology and non-engineering knowledge, and exercise their communication, project management, leadership and other skills. All projects are designs that are based on group projects in order to cultivate team spirit.