CS/EE degrees are optional. Many hackers do not have them. It's just an indicator that they probably know the basics (bits, bytes, systems, etc.) but certainly

CS/EE degrees are optional. Many hackers do not have them. It's just an indicator that they probably know the basics (bits, bytes, systems, etc.) but certainly not required. Some of the best hackers I have worked with had dropped out of (very difficult CS/EE programs) and never finished college.