Not the guy you asked, but my guess is that they're are not interested in how and why the computer works [1].
They probably more interested on how the computers can work for them. These students most likely to work in the banking or finance sectors where the payments are good and bonuses are awesome. Don't got me wrong though, they are good students and engineers, but under-the-hood of computers are not their main interests or passions. For example, someone can become a car enthusiast but can't be bother to open the engine bonnet or pump the tires.
[1]CS 61C. Great Ideas of Computer Architecture (Machine Structures):
I'm genuinely curious, why did the course make you quit? Was it the material or the professor, or something else entirely?