The Ph.D. programs for Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering have adopted a new comprehensive portfolio process that replaces the old comprehensive examinations process. The requirements and associated forms can be found in the following document: CMPE/ENEE Ph.d. Comprehensive Portfolio Policy Implementation Guidelines.

Today, we’re serving up news of the “What?!?” variety:

Is your fourth-grader a bit sniffly? Make sure his buddy didn’t bring cocaine to school and pass it out (like this kid did).

This headline speaks for itself: “2012 Horror: Charlie Sheen ‘Winning’ Against Sarah Palin Among Independents In Presidential Poll”

Mom always said to be careful what you post on Facebook… You wouldn’t want your wife to see pictures your other wedding and get you arrested for polygamy… Would you?

And if you missed this video, you missed out:

Ahh… Finally. Time for some relaxing on spring break.

If you’re not heading to the beautiful sandy beaches of Kentucky like this blogger, you’re probably trying to figure out your ideal spring break destination.

Miami? Cancun? San Francisco? Well, in case you hadn’t heard… Chernobyl is now open to tourists!

No kidding.

Yesterday on “Today,” NBC reporter Michelle Kosinski filed an interesting report from the Ukraine wherein she visited the site of the world’s worst nuclear power plant disaster, Chernobyl. It’s been nearly 25 years since the meltdown, and now it’ll cost you just $150 to tour the eerie site. Check out the report below:

After hundreds of thousands of people in the Ukraine and Belarus were displaced because of the explosion, and countless others across Europe were affected, the once buzzing and promising community around the nuclear plant became a ghost town.

Last December, though, the plant revealed that it would open for tourism in 2011. The Guardian got it right with this intro:

Already been to North Korea? Hiking in Afghanistan a little bit too last year? Fear not. Tourism has a new frontier: the site of the world’s biggest civilian nuclear disaster.

As you saw in the NBC report, it might not be the most upbeat of vacations, but it sure is a place on a lot of people’s minds these days.

But if you’re on Senator Lisa Murkowski’s (R-AK) side, it’s “incorrect” and “premature” to draw comparisons between the meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan and the explosion at Chernobyl. This comes in response to assertions that the U.S. should back off of its nuclear power developments. (Also, you can keep up with developments at this live blog on what is going on to mitigate the dangers at Fukushima.)

If you’re not headed to Chernobyl this spring break, is it a destination you’d consider if you could make it to the Ukraine?

Baltimore Sun real estate reporter Jamie Smith Hopkins ’98, English, received a Best in Business award today for her 2010 work from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers. While a student at UMBC, Hopkins worked for the Retriever Weekly. She graduated as valedictorian of her class.

Read the full story in the Baltimore Sun.