​SECTION 3B: PRACTICAL SKILLS MODULE SPECIFICATIONS

1. 251201004-PM-01, Basic Calculations for Programming, NQF Level 4, Credits 8
1.1 Purpose of the Practical Skills Module
The focus of the learning in this module is on providing the learner with an opportunity to acquire the skills to
use basic maths and calculation in programming
The learner will be required to:
PM-01-PS01 : Number bases and measurement units
PM-01-PS02 : Basic math
PM-01-PS03 : Operator precedence
PM-01-PS04 : Integer division
PM-01-PS05 : Modulus
PM-01-PS06 : Increments
PM-01-PS07 : Mixing types
PM-01-PS08 : Casting (timing and contextualising)
1.2 Guidelines for Practical Skills
1.2.1 PM-01-PS01 : Number bases and measurement units
Scope of Practical Skill
Given a demonstration, thereafter suitable problem statements and tasks, the learner must be able to:
PA0101 Convert numbers between the decimal number system and the binary number system:
addition and subtraction of positive whole numbers in binary up to 100002 (16 in decimal)
PA0102 Express size and magnitude: From Giga to Pica (1012 to 10 -12)
PA0103 Do conversions between related units in different measurement systems
PA0104 Apply rational and irrational numbers
PA0105 Differentiate and apply PEDMAS and BODMAS
PA0106 Use decimals and convert them to common fraction form
PA0107 Apply scientific notation for small and large numbers
Applied Knowledge
AK0101 The effect of error in calculations
Internal Assessment Criteria
IAC0101 An ability to apply mathematical thinking to solve a mathematical problem is demonstrated

1.2.2 PM-01-PS02 : Basic math
Scope of Practical Skill
Given a demonstration, thereafter suitable problem statements and tasks, the learner must be able to:
PA0201 Use arithmetic expressions in programming: Addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (*)
and division (/) for both integers and real data types
PA0202 Percentage
PA0203 Negative numbers
PA0204 Cartesian coordinate system
PA0205 Pythagorean theorem for finding the distance between two points
PA0206 Decimal, binary, and hexadecimal numbering systems
Applied Knowledge
251201004 – Occupational Certificate: Robotic Processing Automation (RPA) Developer Page 50 of 108
AK0201 The effect of error in calculations
Internal Assessment Criteria
IAC0201 An ability to apply mathematical thinking to solve a mathematical problem is demonstrated

1.2.3 PM-01-PS03 : Operator precedence
Scope of Practical Skill
Given a demonstration, thereafter suitable problem statements and tasks, the learner must be able to:
PA0301 Use parentheses
PA0302 Apply order of operations (left to right)
PA0303 Apply precedence:
Parentheses
Multiply and Divide
Add and Subtract
PA0304 Use PEDMAS in programming
Applied Knowledge
AK0301 The effect of error in calculations
Internal Assessment Criteria
IAC0301 An ability to apply mathematical thinking to solve a mathematical problem is demonstrated

1.2.4 PM-01-PS04 : Integer division
Scope of Practical Skill
Given a demonstration, thereafter suitable problem statements and tasks, the learner must be able to:
PA0401 Divide two integers
PA0402 Discard the fractional part (remainder)
Applied Knowledge
AK0401 The effect of error in calculations
Internal Assessment Criteria
IAC0401 An ability to apply mathematical thinking to solve a mathematical problem is demonstrated

1.2.5 PM-01-PS05 : Modulus
Scope of Practical Skill
Given a demonstration, thereafter suitable problem statements and tasks, the learner must be able to:
PA0501 Modulus abbreviated as “mod”
PA0502 %, also known as the modulus or remainder operator
PA0503 The % operator returns the remainder of the two numbers after division
what is left after what is in front of the modulus operator is divided by what is after the
modulus operator
Examples
PA0504 Use % to check if a number is even or odd
PA0505 The double equals (==) operator is used to compare values, such as a pair of ints, and
returns a Boolean
251201004 – Occupational Certificate: Robotic Processing Automation (RPA) Developer Page 51 of 108
Applied Knowledge
AK0501 The effect of error in calculations
Internal Assessment Criteria
IAC0501 An ability to apply mathematical thinking to solve a mathematical problem is demonstrated

1.2.6 PM-01-PS06 : Increments
Scope of Practical Skill
Given a demonstration, thereafter suitable problem statements and tasks, the learner must be able to:
PA0601 Increment a variable by 1 using n = n + 1
PA0602 n = n + 1 means n takes the new value of whatever n + 1 is
PA0603 compound assignment operator using n += 1 or n++
PA0604 Add one to n: n + 1
PA0605 Add two to n: n = n + 2 or n += 2
PA0606 ++ operator can only add 1
Applied Knowledge
AK0601 The effect of error in calculations
Internal Assessment Criteria
IAC0601 An ability to apply mathematical thinking to solve a mathematical problem is demonstrated

1.2.7 PM-01-PS07 : Mixing types
Scope of Practical Skill
Given a demonstration, thereafter suitable problem statements and tasks, the learner must be able to:
PA0701 Apply an operator to:
Two int values or variables
Two doubles
One int and one double
Examples evaluating to 1.5
Examples evaluating to 2.0 (a double), not 2 (an int)
PA0702 In combination with the order of operations
7 / 2 * 2.0 == 6.0 BUT 2.0 * 7 / 2 == 7.0
The order in which an expression is written matters a lot when using a combination of
integers and doubles
step by step examples of how the computer would evaluate some expressions that combine
types
Applied Knowledge
AK0701 The effect of error in calculations
Internal Assessment Criteria
IAC0701 An ability to apply mathematical thinking to solve a mathematical problem is demonstrated

1.2.8 PM-01-PS08 : Casting (timing and contextualising)
Scope of Practical Skill
Given a demonstration, thereafter suitable problem statements and tasks, the learner must be able to:
PA0801 Combine values of different data types
PA0802 Explicitly change data from type to another or CAST
Applied Knowledge
AK0801 The effect of error in calculations
Internal Assessment Criteria
IAC0801 An ability to apply mathematical thinking to solve a mathematical problem is demonstrated
1.3 Provider Programme Accreditation Criteria
Physical Requirements:
Valid licenses software and application, including OS.
Internet connection and hardware availability
Examples and information specified in the scope statement and all the case studies, scenarios and
access to hardware and software implied in the scope statements of the modules.
Remote learners: Provider must provide business IT simulation system (e.g., invoice processing).
Human Resource Requirements:
Lecturer/learner ratio of 1:10 (Maximum)
Qualification of lecturer (SME):
o NQF 6 industry recognised qualification with 1 year’s experience in the IT industry
o RPA vendor certification
Assessors and moderators: accredited by the MICT SETA
Legal Requirements:
Legal (product) licences to use the software for learning and training
OHS compliance certificate
Ethical clearance (where necessary)
1.4 Exemptions
No exemptions, but the module can be achieved in full through a normal RPL process