How to configure Finder

Hi:

I have reasonable technical knowledge of Windows (hate it!), reasonable knowledge of Linux (love it!), but I'm a newbie with Mac. Recently acquired a Mac mini with Mountain Lion OS and questions about its usage are cropping up. Since I'm familiar with the applications in Windows (File Explorer) and Linux (Nautilus) that show the file system in the OS, I wondered if Finder can be configured to show the file system in a similar way (hierarchical tree on left panel, content on the right panel). Your help is appreciated. Thanks.