The course provides tools for dealing with research questions in evolutionary biology, through a survey of the main stages and events in animal evolution, starting from the a-biotic changes of the Precambrium and to the appearance of modern taxa. The course presents different tool in evolutionary research: Paleontology, comparative anatomy, embryology and molecular biology, and demonstrates how they can be used to understand and reconstruct evolutionary processes. Throughout the historical survey the most suitable tools for addressing each topic will be emphasized. The course includes frontal lectures, exercises and demonstration of relevant paleontological and current material.