Open source PLC based on Arduino

I found this thread after recently purchasing a IoT WiFi PLC unit from Martin (@ArduinoPLC) and am also on board with this. This is my first Arduino endeavor and I have to say it has been quite the adventure so far. Grasping this type of programming is a challenge when I am so used to ladder. I will be looking into Thiago's OpenPLC project as well.

I'm doing a course in Industrial Electronic by project which is in a development state.

OpenPLC appear great to develop de course.
Is it possible to make a HMI/SCADA using a PC and communicating with the USB port or more hardware is require. SCADABR talk about getting trough a web server, nothing out there very clear about the USB port.
Many thanks.