[rifung]

No need to say "monkey coder" instead of just coder or programmer.

My school's undergrad curriculum focused very heavily on theory and I appreciated and thoroughly enjoyed it. I think I've had a much stronger theoretical foundation than most I've seen with similar experience. On the other hand, I don't really feel like any of my jobs have really required that knowledge whatsoever.

I certainly don't see a problem people learning any theory necessary as they go if they are just planning on working in the industry. I certainly appreciate the theoretical background but I really would have a hard time believing having this theoretical knowledge is necessary to becoming more than a "monkey coder" whatever that means.

It's not as though these people are going to a research university or planning on doing research; they are going to learn to program and maybe gain the skills to find a job, and that's certainly what they are getting.