But thinking of Software engineering as a "applied degree" is downgrading what Software Engineering could be. It is largely a point of view, but I would respe

But thinking of Software engineering as a "applied degree" is downgrading what Software Engineering could be. It is largely a point of view, but I would respectfully disagree. I suspect most people would think of an MD as an "applied degree" (or applied doctorate as the case may be), but many MD's engage in research and innovation. The same is true of the engineering degrees.