The problem you're seeing is that "computer science" does not adequately prepare a student for a career in "software programming" OR "software engineering".

This fault does not lie with "computer science". Rather, with the education system, the industry, and everything that lies in between.

If you're a Comp-Sci graduate and you want to work in the mainstream software industry, you would benefit IMMENSELY by seeking out courses or books on the topics which Dan mentions. If you have a solid Comp-Sci background, and have covered 3/4ths of the topics in Dan's list, consider yourself eminently hireable in the market.

But the question now becomes: if you want to work in mainstream software, or if you're a company in the market to hire someone for such a position, is "computer science" a necessary prerequisit?

In other words, would you rather have someone straight out of trade school, having taken all of the courses on Dan's list, or would you rather a classically trained computer scientist?

The answer, I think, for many potential employees and employers is starting towards prefering the the trade-trained programmer. Why?

It may be simply because it is not effective for companies to (internally or otherwise) trade-train flocks of computer scientists, when they could potentially hire people who took the burden of trade-training upon themselves.

Or there may be other reasons I'm missing...

Anyway, it's an interesting topic of discussion.

-Mike