Recorded 12 March 2024. Greta Panova of the University of Southern California presents "Symmetric Functions (Part 1)" at IPAM's Geometry, Statistical Mechanics, and Integrability Tutorials. Abstract: Symmetric Functions are central objects and tools in Algebraic Combinatorics, Representation Theory and the Theory of Special Functions. They often appear in Statistical Mechanics as partition functions. In these lectures we will introduce the basics from formulas to combinatorial models (tableaux, nonintersecting lattice paths and tilings etc) and emphasize important properties. We will end by discussing the limitations and open problems. Learn more online at: https://www.ipam.ucla.edu/programs/workshops/geometry-statistical-mechanics-and-integrability-tutorials/