The current era of educational modernization characterized by digital and intelligent empowerment presents new challenges for talent cultivation in civil engineering. There is an increasing demand for professionals with diversified knowledge structures and comprehensive competencies. Consequently, urgent adjustments and optimizations are required in both course content and teaching methodologies within civil engineering programs. Taking the low-credit Fluid Mechanics course for civil engineering as a case study, this paper explores reforms in curriculum design and instructional models aligned with the digital-intelligent transformation. Specifically, it proposes moving beyond the traditional hydrodynamics-centric framework to establish a knowledge system centered on fundamental fluid mechanics theories and their applications in civil engineering, thereby responding to emerging trends in talent development. Pedagogically, a novel blended learning model integrates a digital teaching platform with the BOPPPS framework, creating hybrid (online + offline) application-oriented knowledge modules. A detailed case study illustrates the implementation process of this model. The study discusses pathways to enhance students’ active learning and professional competency development, offering references for optimizing similar foundational courses and instructional designs.