  Independent particle model in nuclear physics assumes that the nucleon in the
nucleus moves in the average (mean field) potential generated by all other
nucleons. This chapter gives a short overview of basic features of the
independent particle motion in atomic nuclei and its theoretical realization in
the framework of shell models for spherical, deformed and rotating nuclei as
well as in more sophisticated approaches such as microscopic+macroscopic model
and density functional theories. Independent particle motion of nucleons leads
to global and single-particle consequences. The global ones manifest themselves
in the shell structure and its consequences for global structure of nuclear
landscape, the existence of superheavy nuclei and the superdeformation at high
spin are briefly reviewed. The latter shows itself in the single-particle
properties such as energies, alignments and densities; their manifestations are
illustrated on specific examples.
