The paper involved deals with the development of geology at the university beginning with the second half of the XIX century when three departments of this profile were established. Special attention is paid to the petrographic school that has been founded by the first university professor of geology AA Inostrantsev and has been further carried on by his students and followers up to present time. It also makes reference to a great contribution of geologists during the time of the Great Patriotic War as well as mention is made of the oil field discovery by the graduates of the Institute that has been highly appreciated by the state administration.
