<p>Majors like Math, Physics, etc. are good theoretical majors as I've heard. Engineering majors are more application type majors. </p>
<p>Where does CS go? Is it a good application major too? Or is it all theory?</p>
<p>It depends on the school. At some places, CS is a theoretical major, and at others it is pretty much a very application-oriented degree. Some schools have a major in ee/cs, which if you really like computers is pretty beautiful–you possibly could learn enough to realize a computer system from electrons to devices to circuits to computer architecture to operating systems to application programs!</p>
<p>I go to the University of Washington. It’s got a Top 10 CS program. It’s not linked to EE though…</p>
<p>CS is a little of both, really. In that respect, it’s sort of unique.</p>
<p>It’s similar, in theory, to physics majors. You study some mix of theory and practice that’s defined more by your particular degree program than by any “one true curriculum”. Both majors have the theoretical basics (Algorithms, Data Structures, Discrete Math vs E&M, Mechanics, QM) and both have more applied classes (Operating Systems, Software engineering, networks vs Applied QM, Applied E&M, laboratory).</p>
<p>Most degrees are some mix of theory and application. Even pure math majors are usually required to take a lot of courses that would usually be considered “applied”… or at least such is my understanding.</p>
<p>I recommend you check the ABET/ACM curriculum for CS programs, and see which courses seem “theoretical” and which “applied” and use that as a base line.</p>
<p>AuburnMathTutor is exactly right. If CS were simply applied knowledge, there would be no science to it. You might as well just go to a trade school and learn whatever tools are currently in use. So if you went to school in the late '90s all you’d know now is everything about Windows 95 and would be pretty obsolete. Unfortunately, too many people practice the applied part without understanding basic theory and are unable to adapt to newer technology. However, if CS was taught as simply theoretical science, it would have limited usefulness. CS is unique that it requires both. It should also be taught as an interdisciplinary major since you may end up developing everything from lab software for math/science/engineering applications to business systems to medical, defense, governmental, or educational systems. That is the strength of CS. You may need a background in logic, linguistics, math, science, business, engineering, etc. depending on where your career goes. It may be using statistical equations for financial or demographic companies. You may be working on signal processing or telecomm switching systems. Computer systems run the power grid, manage power needs for automobile hybrids, etc. The list is endless and the sky’s the limit.</p>