However, while the department does have a heavy focus on theory, it nevertheless makes sure to instill a practical knowledge in students.

For example, introductory classes in the department teach students how to use programming languages, such as C++, that are commonly used in the computer industry.

"The Harvard CS curriculum has actually always been pragmatically oriented, designed in part to prepare students for the realities of industrial practice in computer science," writes Lewis, who is also dean of the College, in an e-mail message.

"In the world of CS departments, we are considered somewhat anomalous, because our senior faculty strength is heavy on theory, but we provide a superior education in the practice of computer science," Lewis adds.

According to Shieber, though, the department cannot possibly teach students everything they'll need to know--and is therefore responsible for providing students with a sound fundamental background.

Students in the computer science department say that they've been able to apply this theoretical education to practical computing problems.

Undergraduate Council member Paul A. Gusmorino III '02, who coded the council's UC Books web-based service, says that Harvard's theoretical approach helped prepare him to write the scripts that run the site.