>Expecting the average software eng to know what a CDF is the same as expecting them to know 3d graphics basics like quaternions and writing shaders.

I did write shaders and used quaternions back in the day. I also worked on microcontrollers, did some system programming, developed mobile and desktop apps. Now I am working on a rather large microservice based app.

you’re a unicorn

A standard CS program will cover statistics (incl. calculus-based stats e.g. MLEs), and graphics is a very common and popular elective (e.g. covering OpenGL). I learned all of this stuff (sans shaders) in undergrad, and I went to a shitty state college. So from my perspective an entry level programmer should at least have a passing familiarity with these topics.

Does your experience truly say that the average SWE is so ignorant? If so, why do you think that is?

> A standard CS program will cover statistics

> graphics is a very common and popular elective

I find these statements to be extremely doubtful. Why would a CS program cover statistics? Wouldn't that be the math department? If there any required courses, it's most likely Calc 1/2, Linear Algebra, and Discrete Math.

Also, out of the hundreds of programmers I've met, I don't know any that has done graphics programming. I consider that super niche.

Thankfully all programmers have a CS degree, as there are absolutely no career paths into the industry that could possibly bypass a four year degree. What a relief, imagine the horror of working with plebians that never took a course on statistics!