Based on the teaching case of civil engineering materials course, this paper explores the teaching reform and practice of civil engineering undergraduates in the form of project participation with output orientation as the goal. It analyzes the employment directions of civil engineering undergraduates, and combining with the key points of the curriculum knowledge and the teachers’ scientific research project, the connection points between the curriculum teaching content and the project implementation are determined. Participating in scientific research work enables students to absorb and master the key and difficult points of theoretical knowledge, enhances the practical ability of undergraduates, promotes the innovative spirit and team awareness in scientific research and professional technical work, and cultivates innovative applied talents majoring in civil engineering in the new era.