For decades, the accepted degree to get to become a software developer was \"Com

Question

For decades, the accepted degree to get to become a software developer was "Compter Science."
We've had a few questions already about whether that degree really prepares students to develop software.

Some schools have, in the last 8 years or so, started offering multiple distinct majors in programming. Using the curriculum from my school:

Computer Science, which starts out with some intro programming courses in the first year, and then focuses on theoretical computer science, algorithms, and a bit of OS stuff. Most classes involve several smaller projects and homeworks, done solo or in pairs.
Software Engineering, which starts out with the same intro programming courses, does a few classes of theory, and then goes into software development practices (testing, process methodologies, sofware metrics, requirements gathering) and software design (distributed system design, info system design, real-time/embedded design, subsystem design, etc)
Different schools do it differently, so the above is just a real-world example I'm familiar with. What I ask is: Is there a need for distinct majors in programming?

Explanation / Answer

Yes, they should be.

The relationship between computer science and software engineering is the same as the relationship between physics and mechanical engineering. One provides the theoretical background while the other takes those theories, along with good engineering principles, and applies them to the design and implementation of software.

You need both in order to produce new and better software. A good computer science education trains people to produce new and better algorithms, data structures, programming languages and paradigms, compilers, and a number of other things that can be used to enhance software systems. A good software engineering education, on the other hand, trains you to take these tools and knowledge obtained through a scientific study of computation, along with a knowledge of the software development lifecycle and process models to actually build the system that a customer wants and needs.

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