The shifters and brakes are one piece
That is pretty normal on entry-level mountain bikes. Shimano claims this is to not confuse beginners.

Torney, Altus, Acera and Alivio groupsets come this way, at least by default.

However, Acera and Alivio are getting better and better with the trickle-down tecknowogy.

See here, in the upper corner "Components".