Nevertheless, McKay Professor of Computer Science Harry R. Lewis says, "we have never aspired to shift annually on what languages and packages we teach in response to rapidly changing practices in the field."

While some students interpreted last year's addition of a short unit on the Java programming language--which is commonly used in Internet applications--to the curriculum of Computer Science 51, "Introduction to Computer Science II," as a concession to the changing market, says McKay Professor of Computer Science Stuart M. Shieber.

He says that the move was motivated by other concerns.

According to Shieber, the fact that the assembly language known as MIPS was removed from the curriculum of CS 51 reflects the reality that assembly language programming is now covered in Computer Science 50, "Introduction to Computer Science I."

Java, which replaced MIPS, is now taught due to its elegant presentation of object-oriented programming, he says.

But, according to Narayanamurti, the department is starting to change its focus from the theoretical topics that have always been its staple.

"More recently we have built strengths in artificial intelligence and systems," he says. "We hope to build up in other areas such as in very large information systems and in areas of CS which impact electronic commerce."

Students say they've already seen some of the results of this shift in emphasis.