Sustainable Bytes: Embedding Sustainability Awareness in Computer Science Education

Industry and academia recognize the importance of computer scientists having sustainability awareness and knowledge. While bachelor’s programs in computer science provide a comprehensive education, the topic of sustainability is typically only briefly covered in a few elective modules. Consequently, most computer science graduates lack awareness and fundamental knowledge of software sustainability. How can we ensure that all graduates receive basic sustainability training without increasing their workload or removing other courses from the curriculum?To achieve this goal, we have developed the novel concept of Sustainable Bytes, a voluntary online course whose sections (the bytes) are linked from the educational material of existing mandatory courses. In this experience report, we present the goals of the course, the key decisions made during the design process, and an overview of its contents. Evaluation and usage statistics from the first instance of the course reveal that only 26 % of first-semester students accessed it and 7 % completed it. Consequently, we share lessons learned to help us and other educators increase student participation in the future.