Hi Cathryn - in my quest to learn more about the processes of earthquakes I have found that such courses as geophysics requires a number of prerequisites. First, those types of classes are only taught at the University level. Therefore you must first get all the lower division courses out of the way prior to jumping into such higher division courses - this usually means at least 56 Semester Units of various general education type classes. (CSULB doesn't accept and lower division transfers so you must complete those courses first)

Once those are out of the way and you can transfer as an upper-division student to the university, there are more prerequisites for a class such as geophysics. Here is a sample of what I mean - these are the classes at CSULB (I'll be there next Fall)
GEOL 460 Introduction to Geophysics (4) Introduction to geophysics; principles and processes; methods of investigation.
Prerequisites:
PHYS 152 Electricity and Magnetism
requires Physics I & Calculus II
MATH 123 Calculus II,
requires requires Calculus I,
requires pre Calculus and Trigonometry
requires Algebra and Geometry

GEOL 273. Computer and Statistical Methods in Geology
requires GEOL 240 Historical Geology
requires General Geology & Lab
requires Algebra and Geometry
requires PHYS 151 Mechanics and Heat
Requires Calculus I
requires MATH 123 Calculus II

So.... Just think of all the education required to take an Intro to geophysics class! It sure makes you have a little more respect for those scientists. I will get to start my University career with Chemistry, Precalc and Physics. If I make it through those I can finally start some real geology courses!

Canie