I was not required to take a course in software design patterns. A course in software design may be required at some local colleges where this may be covered but not all colleges including top CS schools. Colleges do not use these local colleges as models for the nation since their rankings are low. The interviewer was surprised I didn't read Software Design Patterns by the Gang of 4 in graduate school. This book is not meant for the student learner and not all graduate programs in the United States require the same things. Most offer many electives if they are a bigger department and may offer a college in this.