Embedding Sustainability in Software Engineering Curriculum: A Case Study

Abstract: Sustainability is increasingly recognized as a critical dimension of engineering education, yet its integration into Software Engineering curricula remains a challenge. This paper reports on a case study that examines how sustainability is being embedded across modules in the Software Engineering program at one university. The paper outlines the process through which academics and students co-identified opportunities for integration, guided by the five dimensions of the Sustainability Awareness Framework, targeted discussion questions, and good practice examples drawn from the Green Software Foundation patterns. The study highlights practical steps - including the use of frameworks, illustrative examples, student engagement, and iterative consultative processes - that can support other institutions seeking to embed sustainability into their programs. We also discuss strategies for integrating sustainability into the Software Engineering curriculum and argue that such integration is a necessary and urgent step to prepare Software Engineering graduates as sustainability-aware professionals in our changing society.