2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Software engineering encompasses a broad range of essential topics, including software processes, architecture, requirements, and design—all foundational components of an undergraduate curriculum aimed at producing disciplined and capable engineers. However, one area of growing importance is the development of real-time systems, particularly as the complexity of modern software continues to escalate. For example, a Level 3 autonomous vehicle may require over 300 million lines of code, while a fully autonomous Level 5 vehicle could exceed 1 billion lines—demands that far surpass traditional systems and necessitate deeper expertise in real-time software engineering.
Historically, real-time systems courses have focused on simple applications running on 8-bit microprocessors, typically offered within computer and electrical engineering programs. These approaches, however, fall short of preparing students for the challenges posed by contemporary embedded systems. This article presents a case study on the design and evolution of a modern real-time systems course tailored specifically for software engineering students. The course leverages advanced embedded platforms and integrates content from networking, C++ programming, design patterns, and operating systems, culminating in the development of a robotic system. Drawing on over a decade of experience, the paper reflects on successes and challenges from both student and faculty perspectives, and explores the curricular implications of offering such a comprehensive and integrative learning experience.