For a unit semi-circle centered at the origin, the points are $(1,0)$, $(1, \tfrac43)$, $(-1, \tfrac43)$, $(-1,0)$. Translate, rotate, and scale as needed.
If the end-points of the diameter are $\mathbf{P}$ and $\mathbf{Q}$, proceed as follows:
Let $\mathbf{U}$ be a vector obtained by rotating $\vec{\mathbf{P}\mathbf{Q}}$ through 90 degrees. Then the control points are $\mathbf{P}$, $\mathbf{P} + \tfrac23 \mathbf{U}$, $\mathbf{Q} + \tfrac23 \mathbf{U}$, $\mathbf{Q}$.
Pseudocode is as follows
Vector VA = Q - P; Vector U = new Vector(-A.Y, A.X); // Perpendicular to PQ double s = 2.0/3.0; // Scale factor Vector[] controlPoints = { P, P + s*U, Q + s*U, Q }; For general circular arcs, complete details are given in "Good approximation of circles by curvature-continuous Bézier curves", by Tor Dokken, Morten Dæhlen Tom Lyche, Knut Mørken, Computer Aided Geometric Design Volume 7, Issues 1–4, June 1990, Pages 33-41.