Tomsk University was the first in Siberia. In fact, it initiated higher education in Siberia. In 1888 only one department-of medicine- was opened into which 72 students were admitted. Ten years later the second department — law enrolled the first law students. The department of physics and mathematics and the departments of history, philology and philosophy were opened only in 1917.
Today Tomsk State University is a major university with a wide range of educational and research activities. It hosts 12.000 undergraduates. 7.500 of whom are full-time students. About 3.000 lectures are involved in training. The University offers numerous career options. There are 24 departments here. It incorporates 4 research institutes, 6 museums, a library and a botanical garden. The university is continually expending, offering new speciality fields and new courses.