The Center for Integrated Facility Engineering at Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif., has launched what it says is the first online certificate program in virtual design and construction.

Beginning in January, the Stanford Virtual Design and Construction program will teach theory, methods and use of computer modeling to manage all aspects of design through construction projects. Students will work with Primavera P3 for project management; ArchiCAD from GraphiSoft; Autodesk’s Architectural Desktop or Bentley's Microstation for design; Timberline’s Precision Estimating; an organizational modeler called SimVision; and a 4D animation program, Project 4D from Common Point. Information is at http://scpd.stanford.edu/scpd/courses/ proed/vdccert. The full course fee is $3,595.