The geological museum of the Department of Geology and Geophysics was established in 1988. Rock and mineral collections from different chairs of the Department constituted the museum collection.

Most samples were collected by the museum staff directly at deposits during their field trips and expeditions. Plenty of fascinating exponents were found by members of geological club “Crystal” (1979-1991) that organized expeditions all over the former USSR. Now the collections are mainly supplemented by contributions of NSU students and faculty members, research workers of the United Institute of Geology, Geophysics and Mineralogy of the Siberian Branch of RAS as well as private collectors. At present, there are more than two thousand exponents combined into various thematic collections that are exposed in the exhibit hall of the museum. In addition, there are educational collections of rocks and minerals for self-study students. The database of virtual geological museum is now being developed to work with Internet users.