<p>Let me give you a few items that related to a few of the core CS courses.</p>
<p>Algorithms & Data Structures - These areas relate to how to construct and evaluate efficient algorithms and how/when to use the correct data structure for optimal results, INDEPENDENT of a certain programming language.</p>
<p>Organization of Programming Languages - Gives you an overall view on how programming languages act in general and the certain differences of some of the more widely-used languages.</p>
<p>Operating Systems - Shows you how does an operating system (in general) interact with the other software and/or languages. If you have been working on Windows applications for years, you will be able to pick up a Linux/Unix-type operating quick because both Windows and Unix have a LOT of similarities…only the syntax and/or process is different.</p>
<p>What CS gives you (as opposed to I.S. or I.T. programs w/o a lot of pure CS) is the ability to adapt to new languages and operating systems much faster and easier and knowing how to apply the right algorithms and data structures.</p>
<p>Not too long ago, one poster asked “Why is my CS prof giving an assignment on updating part of a Linux kernel??” Well, modifying Unix/Linux kernels is the main task when it comes to the whole “Open Source” thing.</p>