Those of us in Lehigh University's solid-Earth group work to understand the evolution and dynamics of our planet. Using a blend of field and laboratory-based studies, we aim to understand geological processes operating in the lithosphere and on the earth's surface. We are especially interested in coupled systems linking deep earth and surface processes. Using approaches in seismology, paleomagnetism, geochemistry, structural geology, geomorphology, and geochronology, our research takes us to field sites across North America and the world. Our current research includes studies of mountain building and crustal evolution, epeirogenesis and intraplate processes, faulting and deformation, landscape evolution, and mass flux and geochemical cycling in convergent margin systems. EES offers both the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Earth and Environmental Sciences. Under a broad Earth-systems umbrella, students do basic research in many of the subdisciplines of ecology, environmental science, geology, geochemistry, and geophysics. The M.S. requires at least 24 credit hours of coursework, a total of 30 credits, and a thesis that we expect to be of publishable quality. The Ph.D. requires additional credit hours (depending on your entry level), and of course a dissertation, on the road to which there are two exams designed to assess, respectively, your overall training, and your specialized expertise relevant to your dissertation proposal. Most Ph.D. theses in recent years have used a format in which the thesis chapters amount to papers submitted to or published in the peer-reviewed literature.