Finite axiomatizations for existentially closed posets and semilattices

In this paper we exhibit axiomatizations for the theories of existentially closed posets and existentially closed semilattices. We do this by considering an infinite axiomatization which characterizes these structures in terms of embeddings of finite substructures, an axiomatization which exists for any locally finite universal class with a finite language and with the joint embedding and amalgamation properties. We then find particular finite subsets of these axioms which suffice to axiomatize both classes. Research supported by an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship. Research supported by NSERC Grant No. A7256.