The teaching of professional basic courses is the important core-sector in the university educational process. To effectively guide students’ active study, a multi-dimensional curriculum model was constructed according to the knowledge system, course contents and teaching methods. The parts in the knowledge system were connected by a common knowledge point. The course contents were divided into three layers using the layered curriculum model. The teaching methods were selected by the course contents and students. At last, a professional basic course, principles of steel structure design, was selected to illustrate how to build and apply the multi-dimensional curriculum model in teaching practice.